Techniques for filling orders

ABSTRACT

A system includes N location indicators and a mobile scanning device. The N location indicators are configured to be arranged throughout a store that includes a plurality of stocked items for picking according to one or more electronic customer orders. Each of the N location indicators is configured to transmit a different location signal. The mobile scanning device includes a display. The mobile scanning device is configured to wirelessly receive an electronic customer order comprising a plurality of ordered items indicating which of the stocked items are to be picked, detect at least one of the N location signals, and arrange at least some of the plurality of ordered items on the display based on which of the at least one of the N location signals is detected.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/443,053, filed Jun. 17, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/978,645, filed May 14, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No.10,325,308, issued Jun. 18, 2019, which is a continuation of Ser. No.15/667,025, filed Aug. 2, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,972,045, issued May15, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/297,404, filed Oct. 19, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,741,070, issuedAug. 22, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/920,205, filed on Oct. 22, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,477,982, issuedOct. 25, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/289,983, filed on May 29, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,171,281, issuedOct. 27, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 61/830,082, filed on Jun. 1, 2013. The disclosures of the aboveapplications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to techniques for filling orders, and moreparticularly, to techniques for filling orders using mobile computingdevices.

BACKGROUND

Customers purchase products from a variety of different types of stores.Stores may sell a variety of different products or be limited toparticular types of products. Example products include dry goods,grocery products, or any other items a customer may purchase. Differentstores may have a variety of different sizes and layouts. Some storesmay sell tens of thousands of products over a floor space covering tensof thousands of square feet. Stores may be referred to by differentnames, depending on the types of products sold at the store, the size ofthe store, the location of the store, and other factors. For example, astore may be referred to as a retail store, a grocery store, asupermarket, a hypermarket, a warehouse, a distribution facility, anoutdoor market, or by another name.

Customers may interact with stores in a variety of different ways. Insome scenarios, a customer may travel to the store and select productsfrom within the store. Typically, the customer selects the desiredproducts within the store and purchases the products at a checkoutsection of the store. In other scenarios, a customer may place an orderfor products from a location remote from the store (e.g., via theInternet or phone). In these scenarios, the purchased products may beshipped from the store to the customer's home.

SUMMARY

An order filling system of the present disclosure may be used to fillorders (e.g., customer orders) for a variety of different products. Theorder filling system may include a central computing system, one or moremobile scanning devices, and a plurality of location indicators. Themobile scanning devices, which may be transported throughout the storeby users, may wirelessly receive customer orders from the centralcomputing system and display the customer orders to users (e.g., storeemployees) so that the users may fill the customer orders. As describedherein, the order filling system may provide for efficient picking ofproducts included in customer orders. Although the order filling systemmay be used to provide for efficient picking of products for customersby employees of the store, in some implementations, a customer may usethe order filling system in order to fill their own order. For example,the customer may place their order using a customer computing device (ora mobile scanning device) and subsequently pick products from their ownorder using the order filling system.

In some examples, a system according to the present disclosure comprisesN location indicators and a mobile scanning device. The N locationindicators are configured to be arranged throughout a store thatincludes a plurality of stocked items for picking according to one ormore electronic customer orders. Each of the N location indicators isconfigured to transmit a different location signal. The mobile scanningdevice comprises a display. The mobile scanning device is configured towirelessly receive an electronic customer order comprising a pluralityof ordered items indicating which of the stocked items are to be picked,detect at least one of the N location signals, and arrange at least someof the plurality of ordered items on the display based on which of theat least one of the N location signals is detected.

In some examples, a system according to the present disclosure comprisesN location indicators and a mobile scanning device. The N locationindicators are configured to be arranged throughout a store thatincludes a plurality of stocked items for picking according to one ormore electronic customer orders. Each of the N location indicatorsincludes a different readable code. The mobile scanning device comprisesa display. The mobile scanning device is configured to wirelesslyreceive an electronic customer order comprising a plurality of ordereditems indicating which of the stocked items are to be picked, scan oneof the N readable codes, and arrange at least some of the plurality ofordered items on the display based on the scanned readable code.

In some examples, a system according to the present disclosure comprisesN mobile scanning devices and a central computing system. The N mobilescanning devices are configured to be moved throughout a store thatincludes a plurality of stocked items for picking according to one ormore electronic customer orders. The central computing system isconfigured to receive a first electronic customer order comprising aplurality of ordered items indicating which of the stocked items are tobe picked and wirelessly transmit the plurality of ordered items to eachof the N mobile scanning devices. A first one of the N mobile scanningdevices is configured to scan a first one of the plurality of ordereditems and wirelessly transmit first data to the central computing systemindicating that the first one of the plurality of ordered items has beenscanned. The central computing system is configured to wirelesslytransmit second data to a plurality of the N mobile scanning devices,the second data indicating that the first one of the plurality ofordered items has been scanned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example implementation of an order filling systemimplemented in a store.

FIG. 2 shows a central computing system communicating with a pluralityof customer computing devices via a computer network.

FIGS. 3A-3B show perspective views of example racks of a store.

FIGS. 4A-9 show example racks including location indicators in differentlocations.

FIGS. 10A-10C show example location indicators that transmit locationsignals.

FIGS. 11A-11C show different example readable codes which may be used aslocation indicators.

FIGS. 12-18 illustrate example arrangements of location indicators andassociated location values that are associated with different areas of astore.

FIGS. 19A-22B show example stores and associated location maps.

FIGS. 23A-23B show an example store and an associated location mapincluding items.

FIGS. 24-25 show functional block diagrams of example mobile scanningdevices.

FIGS. 26A-26I show example mobile scanning device form factors.

FIG. 27 shows the placement of customer orders with a central computingsystem and wireless transmission of the customer orders to mobilescanning devices.

FIGS. 28A-C show how multiple mobile scanning devices may displaycustomer orders to users.

FIGS. 29A-29B show example communications between mobile scanningdevices and a central computing system.

FIGS. 30A-30C show the store and the mobile scanning devices of FIGS.28A-28C after the mobile scanning devices have moved through the storeand some items have been picked.

FIGS. 31A-31C show how a display of a mobile scanning device may beupdated as the mobile scanning device is moved throughout a store.

FIGS. 32A-32E show displays of multiple mobile scanning devices and howthe displays are updated when items are picked.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An order filling system of the present disclosure may be used to fillorders (e.g., customer orders) for a variety of different products. Theorder filling system may be implemented in a variety of differentlocations (e.g., a retail store, a warehouse, an outdoor market, etc.).Although the order filling system is generally described herein as beingimplemented in a store (e.g., a grocery store) to fill customer orders,the order filling system may be implemented in other locations to fillother types of orders. For example, the order filling system may beimplemented in a warehouse or other building to fill warehouse orders.As used herein, a “store” may generally refer to any location (e.g., aretail store, grocery store, warehouse, outdoor market, etc.) in whichthe order filling system may be implemented.

The order filling system of the present disclosure may include a centralcomputing system, one or more mobile scanning devices, and a pluralityof location indicators. The central computing system may receiveelectronic customer orders from customer computing devices via acomputer network, such as the Internet. Customer computing devices mayinclude any type of computing device used by customers to place orderswith the central computing system. For example, customer computingdevices may include cell phones, tablet computers, laptop computers,desktop computers, or other computing devices. Each of the customerorders may include one or more items. An item may generally refer to anytype of product that may be picked from the store. For example, an itemmay be a food product, a personal hygiene product, an electronicproduct, or any other product in inventory in the store.

The central computing system, which may be located within the store, maywirelessly transmit the customer orders to the one or more mobilescanning devices. For example, the central computing system may includewireless communication functionality (e.g., Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11,etc.) for wirelessly transmitting the customer orders to the mobilescanning devices. The mobile scanning devices, which may be transportedthroughout the store by users, may wirelessly receive the customerorders and display the customer orders to the users so that the usersmay fill the customer orders transmitted to the mobile scanning devices.In general, the users may be employees (e.g., store employees) thattransport the mobile scanning devices around the store while filling thecustomer orders displayed on displays of the mobile scanning devices. Insome examples, the mobile scanning devices may be configured to be heldin the users' hands. In other examples, the mobile scanning devices maybe placed in carts (e.g., a shopping cart, basket, or similar cart forcarrying items) and may be pushed around the store by users while theusers gather items to fill customer orders. In still other examples, themobile scanning devices may be configured to attach to a user, e.g.,around the forearm of a user or as a display worn on a user's head.

The users may begin filling the customer orders by gathering (i.e.,picking) the items displayed on the mobile scanning devices. Aftergathering the items, one or more of the users may assemble (e.g., pack)the customer orders from the gathered items. Subsequently, the customerthat placed the customer order with the central computing system mayreceive the filled customer order. In some examples, the customer maypick up the filled customer order at the store. In other examples, thefilled customer order may be delivered to the customer (e.g., at thecustomer's home).

The location indicators may be arranged throughout the store. Ingeneral, the location indicators may be any object or device thatindicates a location within the store. In some examples, the locationindicators may generate location signals. For example, the locationindicators may wirelessly transmit the location signals. The mobilescanning devices may receive the transmitted location signals anddetermine a location within the store based on the detected locationsignals. The location indicators may transmit location signals in avariety of different ways, and the mobile scanning devices may beconfigured to detect the transmitted location signals in a variety ofdifferent ways. Example location indicators, location signals, anddetection of the location signals by a mobile scanning device aredescribed hereinafter in more detail. Although location indicators maytransmit location signals in some examples, in other examples, locationindicators may be objects that may be read by the mobile scanningdevices. For example, the location indicators may be barcodes attachedto racks in the store. Although mobile scanning devices may determine alocation within the store based on location signals generated bylocation indicators within the store, in other examples, the mobilescanning devices may determine a location within the store in responseto signals generated outside of the store, e.g., in response to globalpositioning system (GPS) signals received from GPS satellites. In stillother examples, mobile scanning devices may determine a location valuewithin the store using other technologies. For example, mobile scanningdevices may determine a location value using a WiFi signal transmittedwithin the store.

Mobile scanning devices may have a variety of different configurations.For example, mobile scanning devices may have a variety of differentform factors and different functionalities, depending on how the orderfilling system is implemented in the store. As described above, themobile scanning devices may have handheld form factors and/or beconfigured to be placed in carts and pushed by a user. Example formfactors are illustrated and described in FIGS. 26A-26I.

The mobile scanning devices may include wireless communicationfunctionality (e.g., IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, etc.) for communicatingwith the central computing system, other mobile scanning devices, andother wireless devices. For example, the mobile scanning devices mayreceive customer orders wirelessly from the central computing system andindicate to the central computing system and/or other mobile scanningdevices when items from the customer orders have been scanned.

A mobile scanning device may also include a display for displayinginformation to the user. In some examples, the display may be a liquidcrystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display,an electrophoretic display, or other display technology. For example, amobile scanning device having a handheld form factor may include an LCDdisplay. In other examples, a mobile scanning device having ahead-mounted form factor may include a head-mounted display.

The display of a mobile scanning device may display the items of thecustomer orders to the users. Additionally, the display of a mobilescanning device may display other information to the users other thanthe customer orders. The users may view the items displayed on thedisplays and subsequently pick the items from racks or other containersin the store. The users may then scan the items (e.g., scan barcodes onthe items) and take the items to an area in the store (e.g., acollection area) where the orders may be bagged for customer pickup ordelivery.

The mobile scanning devices may be configured to detect the locationsignals transmitted from the location indicators and perform variousoperations in response to detection of the location signals. In onesense, the location signals received by a mobile scanning device may bethought of as indicating a location within the store. For example,assuming that a first aisle of the store includes a first locationindicator that transmits a first location signal and a second aisleincludes a second location indicator that transmits a second locationsignal, a mobile scanning device located in the first/second aisle maydetermine that it is located in the first/second aisle when the mobilescanning device detects the first/second location signal. The locationsignals may also be thought of as signals that indicate which items ofthe store are in proximity to a mobile scanning device. For example,since each of the items in the store may be associated with one or morelocation signals (i.e., a location value), a mobile scanning device may,upon detection of a location signal, determine which items are in thevicinity of the mobile scanning device.

A mobile scanning device may determine a location within, or outside of,the store. In some examples, a mobile scanning device may determine alocation value based on detected location signals. A location value maygenerally refer to any value or plurality of values (e.g., alphanumericvalues) determined by a mobile scanning device that indicate a locationof the mobile scanning device within, or outside of, the store. Thelocation values determined by a mobile scanning device may depend on thetypes of location indicators used in the store. A variety of examplelocation indicators and example location signals are described herein.In examples where the location indicators do not transmit locationsignals, a mobile scanning device may determine location values in adifferent manner. For example, when location indicators are readableobjects (e.g., barcodes), a mobile scanning device may determine alocation value and a location within the store based on a code includedon the readable object.

As described above, a customer order may include one or more items. Forexample, an item included in a customer order may be any product that acustomer may purchase at the store. In some examples, the customer ordermay include a plurality of grocery items such as cereal, canned food,chicken, milk, ice cream, eggs, fruits, vegetables, etc. In someexamples, a customer order may include other items available at a retailstore such as personal hygiene items (e.g., shampoo, razor blades, andsoap). A customer order may also include items such as movies,videogames, and electronic devices.

An item identification code (hereinafter “item ID code”) may generallyrefer to any code (e.g., alphanumeric or other type of code) that may beassociated with an item that serves to identify that item (e.g.,uniquely identifies the item). Each item in the store may be identifiedby an item ID code. In some examples, an item ID code may be a barcode(e.g., 1 or 2 dimensional barcode) on an item. The barcode may beprinted on packaging of the item or printed on a sticker attached topackaging of the item. In other examples, the item ID code may be a coderetrieved from a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device (e.g., anRFID tag or other RFID form factor) attached to packaging of the item orincluded in packaging of the item. In still other examples, the item IDcode may be a number (e.g., a product look-up code) attached to the itemthat may be entered manually by a user. Such a code may be used toidentify produce items (e.g., fruits and vegetables), for example.

A mobile scanning device may acquire an item ID code in a variety ofdifferent ways, depending on the type of item ID code associated withthe item. As described above, an item ID code may be acquired from abarcode, an RFID tag, or may be manually entered by a user. In someexamples, a mobile scanning device may include a scanning moduleconfigured to scan barcodes to retrieve the item ID code. In someexamples, a mobile scanning device may include a scanning moduleconfigured to acquire item ID codes from RFID tags. In some examples, amobile scanning device may include a user interface (e.g., touchscreenand/or buttons) configured to receive user input, such as manuallyentered item ID codes. Although item ID codes may be a barcode, RFID, ora manually entered code in some examples, it is contemplated that othertypes of item ID codes may be implemented. It is also contemplated thata mobile scanning device may be configured to acquire other types ofitem ID codes.

A customer order may be identified by a customer order identificationnumber (hereinafter “order ID number”). An order ID number may generallyrefer to any code (e.g., alphanumeric or other type of code) that may beassociated with a customer order that serves to identify that customerorder (e.g., uniquely identifies the customer order). In some examples,the central computing system may assign each customer order a differentorder ID number that may uniquely identify that customer order. Each ofthe items included in a customer order may also be associated with theorder ID number.

A mobile scanning device may acquire location signals as the mobilescanning device is transported throughout the store by a user. Thelocation indicators may be set up throughout the store in a variety ofdifferent configurations. In some examples, the location indicators maybe set up in the store such that the mobile scanning device may pick upa location signal at any location within the store. In these examples,the location indicators may be set up such that the location signalsgenerated by the location indicators overlap to varying degrees suchthat a mobile scanning device may acquire multiple location signalssimultaneously in some locations. Additionally, or alternatively, thelocation indicators may be arranged such that the location signals donot quite overlap, but, instead, the location signals may abut oneanother or be separated by a short distance such that a mobile scanningdevice may detect a first location signal in a first location and thenabruptly detect a second location signal upon moving out of range of thefirst location signal. In other examples, the location indicators may beset up such that a mobile scanning device may not pick up locationsignals at some locations within the store. In these examples, there maybe “dead zones” in which a mobile scanning device may not acquirelocation signals because location signals may be absent in thatlocation, or not be sufficiently strong in that location. Variousconfigurations of location indicators within a store are illustrated anddescribed herein.

A mobile scanning device may perform a variety of different operationsbased on the location value determined by the mobile scanning device. Asdescribed above, a mobile scanning device may receive customer ordersfrom the central computing system as the mobile scanning device is beingtransported throughout the store. In some examples, a mobile scanningdevice may be configured to arrange the items of received customerorders on a display of the mobile scanning device based on the currentlydetermined location value. For example, the mobile scanning device maybe configured to place the items in proximity to the scanning device atthe top of the display for the user to view.

The items in locations that are not in proximity to the user (i.e., moredistant from the user) may be placed at a location lower down on thedisplay (e.g., near the bottom of the display). In examples where alarge number of items are ordered, the items that are more distant fromthe user may be omitted from the display. Accordingly, in some examples,the items that are in closer proximity to the user may be displayed atthe top of the display while those items that are more distant from theuser may be placed at the bottom of the display or not included on thedisplay. Such an arrangement of items on a mobile scanning devicedisplay may prompt the user to pick items from the racks that areclosest to the user. This may speed up the picking process by promptinga user to pick those items that may be picked the quickest andpreventing the user from walking by items that are currently ordered bya customer.

The display of a mobile scanning device may be updated in real-time asthe mobile scanning device is moved throughout the store. For example,the arrangement of the items listed on the display may be updated as theuser moves the mobile scanning device from a first location where afirst location signal is detected by the mobile scanning device to asecond location where a second location signal is detected by the mobilescanning device. In this example, the items on the display may berearranged in real-time to reflect which items are currently inproximity to the user after the user has moved to the second location.Since the displayed items may vary based on the location of the mobilescanning device, it follows that, in some examples, different mobilescanning devices in different locations of the store may displaydifferent arrangements of items to the different users.

In some examples, the display of a mobile scanning device may also beupdated in real-time when new customer orders are received. For example,if a newly received customer order includes items that are in the storeat the current location of a mobile scanning device, the display of thatmobile scanning device may be updated to include the items of the newlyreceived order at or near the top of the display of the mobile scanningdevice. This may prevent a user from walking past an item that has justbeen ordered (e.g., ordered within the past few seconds).

In some examples, the display of a mobile scanning device may also beupdated in real-time when items are scanned by the mobile scanningdevice. For example, an item may be removed from the display of themobile scanning device when the mobile scanning device scans the item.In some examples, the displays of multiple mobile scanning devices maybe updated in real-time when items are scanned by any one of themultiple mobile scanning devices. For example, when an item is scannedby any one of the multiple mobile scanning devices, the item may beremoved from the displays of all of the mobile scanning devices in thestore. In these examples, all of the mobile scanning devices may beupdated each time any of the mobile scanning devices in the store scansan ordered item. This may allow multiple users located throughout thestore to scan and pick different items of a single customer order. Insome circumstances this may allow customer orders to be picked morequickly than if a single user was picking the entire order.

FIG. 1 shows an example implementation of an order filling systemimplemented in a store 100. Store 100 is illustrated as a dotted box.Store 100 may represent any building structure that may house the itemsdescribed herein. Although store 100 is generally described herein as agrocery store, supermarket, big-box store, hypermarket, etc., it iscontemplated that the systems and methods for filling orders describedherein may be applicable to other types of businesses and buildings,such as warehouses (e.g., a manufacturer or retailer warehouse),factories, distribution centers (e.g., a manufacturing or retail companydistribution center), convenience stores, shopping plazas, or outdoormarkets.

Customers may place customer orders to have filled at store 100 usingcustomer computing devices 102. A central computing system 104 mayreceive the customer orders from customer computing devices 102. Acustomer computing device 102 may include any electronic device that acustomer may use to place a customer order. For example, a customercomputing device 102 may include a desktop computer or a mobilecomputing device such as a laptop computer, smart phone, or tabletcomputer. In some examples, customer computing devices 102 may bedevices that are located external to store 100. In these examples,central computing system 104 may be configured to receive the customerorders from customer computing devices 102 via the Internet, or othercomputer network. In other examples, customer computing devices 102 maybe located in store 100. For example, customer computing devices 102 maybe mobile computing devices that customers have brought into store 100.As an additional example, store 100 may include customer computingdevices 102 (e.g., desktops or kiosks) that may be used by the customersto place customer orders.

Central computing system 104 may implement a variety of differentfunctions. In general, central computing system 104 may refer to one ormore of a variety of computing devices configured to provide thefunctionality described herein. For example, central computing system104 may include computer networks, servers (e.g., web servers), datastores, routers, software, etc. Although central computing system 104 isillustrated as included in store 100 (e.g., FIG. 1), a portion ofcentral computing system 104, or all of central computing system 104,may be located outside of store 100 in some examples. Put another way,central computing system 104 may include one or more different computingdevices that are located at one or more locations within or outside ofstore 100.

Referring now to FIG. 2, central computing system 104 may be configuredto communicate with a plurality of customer computing devices 102 via acomputer network (e.g., the Internet). Central computing system 104 mayprovide electronic commerce (i.e., ecommerce) functionality so thatcustomers may use customer computing devices 102 to place customerorders with store 100. In some examples, central computing system 104may provide online shopping functionality. For example, centralcomputing system 104 may provide a shopping website to customercomputing devices 102 or provide other data to an application running oncustomer computing devices 102 so that customers may place electroniccustomer orders with store 100 using customer computing devices 102. Theshopping website or other data provided to customer computing devices102, indicated at 106, may include information related to items thecustomer may order at store 100, such as item names, prices,availability, and reviews.

A customer may place an electronic customer order that includes one ormore items. Placing a customer order is indicated at 108. In someexamples, the customer may place a customer order via a website accessedusing a customer computing device 102. In other examples, a customer mayplace a customer order via a dedicated software application (e.g., an“app”) running on a customer computing device 102, such as a mobilephone or a tablet computer. Central computing system 104 may beconfigured to accept payment for the customer order, e.g., using acredit card, as indicated at 108. Additionally, or alternatively, acustomer may pay for the customer order in store 100, e.g., using acredit card, check, or cash.

After a customer order is placed, central computing system 104 maytransmit (e.g., wirelessly transmit) the customer order to one or moremobile scanning devices. The users in store 100 may then pick each ofthe items of the customer order and pack the items of the customer orderfor customer pickup or delivery. In some examples, central computingsystem 104 may notify the customer that the customer order has beenpicked by sending a notification to a customer computing device 102, asindicated at 110.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the order filling system may include awireless communication system 112 (hereinafter “communication system112”) configured to provide wireless communication functionality withinstore 100. Communication system 112 may represent electronic hardwareand software that provides wireless communication functionality with aplurality of wireless devices within store 100. For example,communication system 112 may include one or more wireless routers,antennas, and other devices that facilitate communication with wirelessdevices in the store 100. In some examples, communication system 112 mayprovide wireless communication using Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, and/oranother wireless communication technology.

The order filling system includes one or more mobile scanning devices(e.g., mobile scanning device (MSD) 114-1 and/or mobile scanning device114-2). Mobile scanning device 114-1 and mobile scanning device 114-2may be referred to collectively as “mobile scanning devices 114.” Mobilescanning devices 114 may be transported throughout store 100 by users.Although two mobile scanning devices 114 are illustrated in FIG. 1, itis contemplated that more than two mobile scanning devices may beincluded in the order filling system of the present disclosure. It isalso contemplated that only a single mobile scanning device may be usedin some implementations of the order filling system of the presentdisclosure.

Communication system 112 may communicate with mobile scanning devices114. For example, communication system 112 may transmit data (e.g.,customer orders) to mobile scanning devices 114 and receive data frommobile scanning devices 114. Communication system 112 may alsocommunicate with central computing system 104. For example,communication system 112 may receive data from central computing system104 and transmit the received data to mobile scanning devices 114. Asanother example, communication system 112 may receive data from mobilescanning devices 114 and transmit data to central computing system 104.Accordingly, mobile scanning devices 114 may communicate (e.g.,transmit/receive data) with central computing system 104 viacommunication system 112.

Store 100 includes racks 116-1, 116-2, 116-3, . . . , and 116-N(collectively “racks 116”). Racks 116 may represent any type ofstructure used to hold items. Racks 116 in FIG. 1 are illustrated from atop down perspective. The material (e.g., metal) that forms racks 116 isrepresented by gray shaded areas. Space on racks 116 for the storage ofitems is illustrated as hashed regions. In some figures (e.g., FIG. 1),specific items included in customer orders are illustrated and labeled(e.g., items 124-1 to 124-13 in FIG. 1). Illustrations of racks 116herein are meant to represent a top down view of racks/shelving that aretypically found in retail and grocery stores. Example 3D perspectiveviews of racks 116 are shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. FIG. 3A shows aperspective view of racks 116 illustrated in FIG. 1 that include spaceon shelves 117 for storage of items. FIG. 3B shows a similar rack thatincludes shelves 117 and an end portion 118. The rack shown in FIG. 3Bis illustrated in a top down perspective in FIG. 17, for example.

Racks (e.g., racks 116) described herein are not limited to the types ofracks illustrated in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. Instead, racks 116 mayrepresent any type of structure used to hold items, such as shelving,bins, baskets, pallets, and hooks. Racks 116 may also representrefrigerated storage units including, but not limited to, beveragerefrigerators, display coolers/freezers, and walk-inrefrigerators/freezers. In some examples, racks 116 may be mobile. Forexample, racks 116 may include pallets or carts having wheels.

Each of racks 116 illustrated in FIG. 1 include space for items (hashedregions) and a dividing portion (e.g., dividing portion 120 of rack116-1) that divides the spaces for items. The hashed regions of racks116 represent one or more shelves on which items may be placed. Thenumber of shelves included on a rack may vary. In some examples, racksmay include a single shelf. In other examples, racks may include aplurality of shelves which may be spaced evenly from one another or maybe variably spaced. The dividing portions (e.g., portion 120) of racksmay separate the shelves. Typically, when items on one side of a rackare accessible to a user, items on the other side of the rack are out ofreach of the user due to the dividing portion.

Store 100 may include open floor space where a user (e.g., storeemployee and/or store customer) may move. In some examples, open floorspace between racks may be referred to as aisles, e.g., aisles 122-1,122-2, . . . , and 122-M (collectively “aisles 122”). Although FIG. 1illustrates racks 116 as linear and illustrates aisles 122 as linearportions of open floor space defined by racks 116, it is contemplatedthat store 100 may include racks and aisles having a variety ofdifferent geometries. The techniques of the present disclosure are notlimited to any specific type of rack and aisle layout, but instead, thetechniques may be implemented in any variety of different rack and aislelayouts.

As described above, the hashed regions on racks 116 illustrate space onracks where items are stored. Some portions of the hashed regions onracks 116 include white boxes labeled with item numbers. For example,racks 116 include items 124-1 to 124-13. The boxes labeled as items124-1 to 124-13 illustrate the location of items on shelves. Forexample, items 124-1, 124-2, 124-3, 124-4, 124-5 are included on rack116-1 and rack 116-2. Items 124-1, 124-2, 124-3, 124-4, 124-5 areaccessible by a user that is located in aisle 122-1. Similarly, items124-6, 124-7, . . . , 124-11 are accessible by a user that is located inaisle 122-2.

Similar types of items may be grouped together along an aisle in atypical store. For example, the items located along aisle 122-1, i.e.,the items accessible in aisle 122-1 from rack 116-1 and rack 116-2, maybe items of a similar type. In one example, the items along aisle 122-1may be cereal items (e.g., bags or boxes of cereal). In another example,items along aisle 122-1 may be beverage items such as soft drinks andwater. In another example, items along aisle 122-1 may be frozen itemssuch as frozen entrees, pizzas, and ice cream. In examples where itemsalong aisle 122-1 are frozen items, rack 116-1 and rack 116-2 may berefrigerated storage units (e.g., display coolers/freezers). Althoughthe techniques of the present disclosure may be implemented in stores inwhich similar types of items are grouped together (e.g., in a typicalgrocery store), the techniques of the present disclosure do not requirethat similar types of items be grouped along the same aisle.

Store 100 includes location indicators 126-1, 126-2, 126-3, . . . , and126-X (collectively “location indicators 126”). Location indicators 126may include any device or object that indicates a location in store 100.In some examples, location indicators 126 may indicate a location withinstore 100 by transmitting location signals that indicate the locationwithin store 100. For example, location indicator 126-1 may transmitlocation signal 128-1 that may indicate a location within aisle 122-1.Similarly, location indicator 126-2 may transmit location signal 128-2that may indicate a location within aisle 122-2. Although locationsignals (e.g., 128-1, 128-2) are illustrated as transmitted in a coneradiation pattern having approximately a 90 degree angle, theillustration of location signals (e.g., 128-1, 128-2) in this manner ismerely meant to indicate that location indicators of the presentdisclosure are transmitting signals. It is contemplated that thelocation signals may be transmitted in a variety of different radiationpatterns and distances. Additionally, it is contemplated that thelocation indicators described herein may be mounted to racks, or otherstructures (e.g., walls, floors, ceilings), at different angles in orderto direct the transmission of location signals in different directions.

In other examples, location indicators may be objects (e.g., printedbarcodes) including codes that indicate a location within a store. Forexample, location indicator 126-1 may be replaced by a locationindicator including a code (e.g., a printed barcode) indicating alocation within aisle 122-1. Similarly, location indicator 126-2 may bereplaced by a location indicator including a code (e.g., a printedbarcode) indicating a location within aisle 122-2. Such locationindicators including codes (e.g., barcodes) may be scanned by mobilescanning devices, e.g., using barcode scanners included in the mobilescanning devices.

Mobile scanning devices 114 may be configured to determine a locationwithin store 100 in a variety of different ways, depending on the typeof device or object used as a location indicator. In examples wherelocation indicators 126 wirelessly transmit location signals thatindicate a location within store 100, mobile scanning devices 114 may beconfigured to acquire the location signals and determine locationswithin store 100 based on the acquired location signals. In exampleswhere location indicators are objects that include codes (e.g.,barcodes), mobile scanning devices 114 may be configured to scan thecodes on the location indicators and determine a location within store100 based on the scanned codes.

Location indicators 126 may be configured to transmit location signalsusing any type of wireless transmission technology. In some examples,location indicators 126 may include an antenna (e.g., a metal antenna)that transmits location signals. In some examples, location indicators126 may include a light emitting device (e.g., an LED or other photonicdevices) that transmit location signals. In some examples, locationindicators 126 may include an acoustic device that transmits locationsignals (e.g., sound waves).

The distance over which location indicators 126 transmit locationsignals 128, and the area covered by location signals 128, may varydepending on a variety of different factors including, but not limitedto, the amount of power used to generate location signals 128, thelocation of location indicators 126 within store 100, and the technologyincluded in location indicators 126 (e.g., an antenna, an LED, oracoustic device). In some examples, location indicators 126 may beconfigured to transmit location signals 128 over a relatively shortdistance and a small area within store 100. In other examples, locationindicators 126 may be configured to transmit location signals 128 overlonger distances and larger areas within store 100. For example,location indicators 126 may be configured to transmit location signals128 from a few centimeters up to distances of tens of meters (e.g., 100meters). In some examples, location indicators 126 may transmit locationsignals 128 along the length of an aisle or even across the length ofstore 100.

Location indicators 126 may transmit location signals 128 in a varietyof different patterns which are described hereinafter with respect tolocation indicator 126-1. In some examples, location indicator 126-1 maytransmit a location signal 128-1 along a line. For example, locationindicator 126-1 may include a laser that transmits a laser beam along astraight line. In other examples, location indicator 126-1 may includean antenna that radiates location signal 128-1 in a directional manner.For example, location indicator 126-1 may include an antenna thatradiates location signals having lobes and nulls. In other examples,location indicator 126-1 may transmit location signal 128-1 in nearlyall directions. For example, location indicator 126-1 may include anantenna that generally radiates in all directions, or an LED that emitslight in nearly all directions. It is contemplated that thedirectionality and power of the location signals may be adjusted toadjust the area of store 100 covered by the location signals. Forexample, the amount of power used to generate a location signal may beincreased in order to transmit the location signal a greater distance.

The location of location indicators 126 within store 100 may affect thedistance and area covered by location signals 128. As described herein,location indicators 126 may be placed in a variety of differentlocations in store 100. For example, location indicators 126 may beattached to the walls of store 100, mounted on shelves (e.g., near thefloor or head height), placed on the floor, mounted overhead of theusers, connected to the ceiling, or located at any other location withinstore 100.

Referring to FIG. 1, location indicator 126-1 transmits location signal128-1 into aisle 122-1. Location indicator 126-1 is illustrated asconnected to rack 116-1. Location indicator 126-1 may be connected torack 116-1 in a variety of different locations. In some examples,location indicator 126-1 may be attached to, or placed on, any one of aplurality of shelves of rack 116-1. In some examples, location indicator126-1 may be placed where rack 116-1 meets the floor. In other examples,location indicator 126-1 may be connected to rack 116-1 overhead ofusers. For example, rack 116-1 may include a piece that overhangs aisle122-1. Although location indicators 126 are illustrated as connected toracks 116 in FIG. 1, location indicators 126 may be placed in otherlocations, e.g., on the floor, attached to the ceiling, etc.

The area covered by location signals 128 may depend on the location oflocation indicators 126. With respect to FIG. 1, if location indicator126-2 is attached to a shelf of rack 116-2, location signal 128-2 may betransmitted throughout aisle 122-2. In other words, if locationindicator 126-2 is attached to a shelf of rack 116-2, location signal128-2 may cover some or all of aisle 122-2. Depending on thedirectionality and power of location signal 128-2, location signal 128-2may cover only a portion of aisle 122-2, or may cover all of aisle 122-2and even spill outside of aisle 122-2 to floor space adjacent to aisle122-2. If location indicator 126-2 is attached to a shelf of rack 116-2,location signal 128-2 may not penetrate racks 116-2, 116-3 and/or theitems on racks 116-2, 116-3 in some examples. In these examples,location signal 128-2 may not cover floor space in aisles 122-1 and122-3, and, therefore, location signal 128-2 may not be detectable inthese areas in some examples. In other examples, location signal 128-2may be detectable in aisles 122-1, 122-3. For example, location signal128-2 may penetrate racks 116-2, 116-3 and items on racks 116-2, 116-3such that location signal 128-2 covers some area in aisles 122-1, 122-3.As an additional example, location signal 128-2 may be detectable bymobile scanning devices 114 in aisles 122-1, 122-3 if gaps exist inracks 116-2, 116-3 and between items on racks 116-2, 116-3. Furthermore,in some examples, location signal 128-2 may be detectable by mobilescanning devices 114 in aisles 122-1, 122-3 if location signal 128-2exits aisle 122-2 and reflects back into aisles 122-1, 122-3.

FIGS. 4A-9 show example racks including location indicators in differentlocations. FIGS. 4A-4B show an example rack 130 on floor 132. Rack 130includes shelves 134. Items 136 (illustrated as white boxes) arearranged on shelves 134. In general, rack 130 may be approximately 6feet high. Shelves 134 may be approximately 1-2 feet apart. FIG. 4Ashows a view of rack 130 from the end of rack 130 such that rack 130would extend into and out of the page. FIG. 4B shows a view of rack 130as would be viewed from an aisle.

In FIGS. 4A-4B, location indicators 138-1, 138-2, 138-3, 138-4 areattached to shelves 134-1, 134-2. Shelves 134-1, 134-2 may beapproximately waist height (e.g., approximately 3 feet from floor 132).Accordingly, location indicators 138-1, 138-2 are located atapproximately waist height and may transmit location signals fromapproximately waist height.

Location indicators of the present disclosure may be arranged alongracks at a variety of different distances. With respect to FIG. 4B,location indicators 138-2, 138-3, 138-4 are evenly separated along rack130. Although location indicators 138-2, 138-3, 138-4 are evenlyseparated in FIG. 4B, in other examples, location indicators 138-2,138-3, 138-4 may be separated by varying distances. Although 3 locationindicators 138-2, 138-3, 138-4 are illustrated in FIG. 4B, in someexamples, more or less than 3 location indicators may be arranged alongrack 130.

FIGS. 5A-5B show another example arrangement of location indicatorsalong a rack. In FIGS. 5A-5B, rack 140 includes supporting members 142configured to hold location indicators 144-1, 144-2, 144-3, 144-4 aboverack 140 (e.g., over customer heads). In some examples, supportingmembers 142 may include metal rods that may be connected (e.g., clamped)to rack 140. Supporting members 142 may also be used to hold otherobjects, such as signs indicating what items are included in the aisle.Location indicators 144-1, 144-2, 144-3, 144-4 are connected tosupporting members 142 and configured to generate location signals(e.g., 146-1, 146-2) that cover areas of the store adjacent to rack 140.For example, location indicators 144-1, 144-2, 144-3, 144-4 may beconfigured to point downward toward areas adjacent to rack 140 such thata mobile scanning device located in the aisle adjacent to rack 140 maydetect one of location signals 146-1, 146-2.

FIG. 6 shows another example arrangement of location indicators in whichlocation indicators are located above racks. For example, locationindicators 148-1, 148-2 may be attached to ceiling 150 (e.g., rafters)of the store. In this example, location indicators 148-1, 148-2 maytransmit location signals 152-1, 152-2 into aisles 154-1, 154-2 betweenracks 156-1, 156-2, 156-3.

FIGS. 7A-7B show another example arrangement of location indicators. InFIGS. 7A-7B, location indicators 158-1, 158-2, 158-3, 158-4 are locatednear floor 160. For example, location indicators 158-1, 158-2, 158-3,158-4 may be attached to the bottom shelves of rack 162 or connected tofloor 160 near the bottom of rack 162. In some examples, locationindicators 158-1, 158-2, 158-3, 158-4 may be embedded in floor 160.Although location indicators 158-2, 158-3, 158-4 are evenly separated inFIG. 7B, in other examples, location indicators 158-2, 158-3, 158-4 maybe separated by varying distances. Although 3 location indicators 158-2,158-3, 158-4 are illustrated in FIG. 7B, in some examples, more or lessthan 3 location indicators may be arranged along rack 162.

FIG. 8 shows other example arrangements of location indicators. In FIG.8, location indicator 164-1 is located in aisle 166 on floor 168.Although location indicator 164-1 is illustrated as centrally located inaisle 166, location indicator 164-1 may instead be located nearer to oneof racks 170-1, 170-2. Location indicator 164-1 may be attached to thesurface of floor 168 in some examples. In other examples, locationindicator 164-1 may be embedded in floor 168. For example, locationindicator 164-1 may be embedded flush with floor 168 or embedded underfloor 168 such that location indicator 164-1 is not visible.

In FIG. 8, location indicator 164-2 is connected to a supporting member172. Supporting member 172 may rest on floor 168 or be connected tofloor 168. Supporting member 172 may be a pole, tripod, or other deviceconfigured to hold location indicator 164-2. Accordingly, supportingmember 172 may be configured to hold location indicator 164-2 at one endand connect to floor 168, or rest on floor 168, at the other end. Usingsupporting member 172 to hold location indicator 164-2 may allowplacement of location indicator 164-2 in any location within the store,regardless of the location of racks, walls, or other structures in thestore that may also be used for mounting location indicator 164-2.

FIG. 9 shows an example arrangement of location indicators that includereadable codes (e.g., printed barcodes). In FIG. 9, location indicators174-1, 174-2, 174-3 are barcodes that are attached to shelf 176 of rack178. Since location indicators 174-1, 174-2, 174-3 are barcodes,location indicators 174-1, 174-2, 174-3 may not transmit locationsignals. Instead, as described hereinafter, a user may use a mobilescanning device to scan location indicators 174-1, 174-2, 174-3 using abarcode scanner to determine a current location. Location indicators174-1, 174-2, 174-3 may include different barcode values that indicatedifferent locations to mobile scanning devices. In some examples, astore may include only location indicators that have readable codes(e.g., barcodes). In other words, in these examples, the store may notinclude location indicators that transmit location signals. In otherexamples, a store may not include location indicators with readablecodes. Instead, in these examples, the store may include only locationindicators that transmit location signals. In still other examples, astore may include both location indicators that have readable codes andlocation indicators that transmit location signals.

Although location indicators 174-1, 174-2, 174-3 are illustrated asattached to a shelf in FIG. 9, other arrangements of readable locationindicators are contemplated. For example, readable location indicatorsmay be attached to lower shelves or higher shelves, the wall of a store,the ceiling of the store, and/or attached to the floor. In general,readable location indicators may be attached in any location in a storethat may be read by a mobile scanning device. It is contemplated that astore may include location indicators in any of the locations describedwith respect to FIGS. 4A-9. Additionally, it is contemplated that astore may include location indicators in other locations which may notbe explicitly illustrated in FIGS. 4A-9.

The number of location indicators and the arrangement of locationindicators in a store may vary. In some examples, a larger store mayinclude more location indicators to cover the larger area of the store.The density of location indicators (e.g., the number of locationindicators per area of the store) may also vary. In some examples, agreater number of location indicators per area of store may create morelocations per area of store, which may result in smaller zones (i.e., ahigher location resolution).

Example location indicators are described hereinafter with reference toFIGS. 10A-10C. Location indicators may include one or more differenttechnologies for wirelessly transmitting location signals. For example,location indicators 180, 182, 184 of FIGS. 10A-10C may transmit locationsignals via an antenna, an LED, or an acoustic device. Additionally,location indicators of the present disclosure may encode locationsignals in a variety of different formats. In general, locationindicators may be configured so that each location indicator transmits adifferent location signal. For example, when location indicators encodelocation signals using different frequency content, each locationindicator may transmit a location signal having different frequencycontent. Mobile scanning devices may be configured to acquire thedifferent location signals and discriminate between the differentlocation signals.

Location indicators may include a variety of different technologies.FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate some example technologies that may be used inlocation indicators that transmit location signals. FIG. 10A shows anexample location indicator 180 that includes an antenna 186 fortransmitting location signal 188. FIG. 10B shows an example locationindicator 182 that includes an LED 190 for emitting location signal 192.FIG. 10C shows an example location indicator 184 that includes anacoustic device 194 for emitting location signal 196. Although FIGS.10A-10C illustrate location indicators 180, 182, 184 using an antenna186, LED 190, and acoustic device 194, it is contemplated that othertypes of devices may be used to transmit location signals within astore.

As described hereinafter, mobile scanning devices may include locationdetection modules (e.g., location detection modules 372, 422 of FIGS.24-25) that are configured to acquire location signals transmitted bylocation indicators. For example, when location indicators transmitlocation signals via an antenna, location detection modules of mobilescanning devices may include antennas configured to receive thetransmitted location signals. As an additional example, when locationindicators transmit location signals from an LED, location detectionmodules of mobile scanning devices may include devices configured todetect the transmitted light (e.g., an LED, or other light detectioncircuit). In still other examples, when location indicators transmitlocation signals from an acoustic device (e.g., sound waves), locationdetection modules of mobile scanning devices may include devicesconfigured to detect the sound waves (e.g., a sound detection device).Although location indicators may include antennas, light emittingdevices, and acoustic devices for transmitting location signals, othertypes of technologies may be included in location indicators fortransmitting location signals. Accordingly, mobile scanning devices mayinclude other types of location detection modules that are configured todetect location signals transmitted by other types of technologies usedin location indicators.

In some examples, a single type of location indicator technology may beimplemented in a store. For example, all location indicators may includelight emitting devices (e.g., LEDs) and all mobile scanning devices mayinclude light detection devices for detecting location signals. As anadditional example, all location indicators may include an antenna fortransmitting location signals and all mobile scanning devices mayinclude antennas for receiving the transmitted location signals. Inother examples, different location indicators may include differenttechnologies within the store. For example, some of the locationindicators may include light emitting devices, while other ones of thelocation indicators may include antennas. In still other examples, someof the location indicators may include multiple different technologies.For example, a location indicator may include both an antenna and alight emitting device.

Location indicators 180, 182, 184 include indicator control modules198-1, 198-2, 198-3 that are configured to control operation of locationindicators 180, 182, 184. In general, indicator control modules 198-1,198-2, 198-3 may represent electronic hardware and software/firmwareincluded in location indicators 180, 182, 184 that controls thetransmission of location signals 188, 192, 196. Location indicators 180,182, 184 may also include an indicator power module 200 configured toprovide power to location indicators 180, 182, 184. Indicator powermodule 200 may include a variety of different electronic components thatprovide power to location indicators 180, 182, 184.

In some examples, location indicators 180, 182, 184 may be powered bymains power systems. In these examples, indicator power module 200 mayinclude a connector to receive mains power (e.g., a three pronged plugor other connector) and power supply electronics for receiving mainspower and delivering power to the electronics of location indicators180, 182, 184 (e.g., indicator control modules 198-1, 198-2, 198-3). Inother examples, location indicators 180, 182, 184 may be powered bybatteries. In these examples, indicator power module 200 may includesockets for holding batteries and/or connectors for receiving batterypower via wires. Additionally, in these examples, indicator power module200 may include electronics for receiving power from batteries anddelivering power to electronics of location indicators 180, 182, 184(e.g., indicator control modules 198-1, 198-2, 198-3). In otherexamples, indicator power module 200 may include other power sourcessuch as solar panels or a capacitor used for energy storage. In otherexamples, location indicators may receive power from mobile scanningdevices. For example, a location indicator (e.g., an RFID tag) mayinclude an antenna that receives energy transmitted by a mobile scanningdevice.

FIG. 10A shows an example location indicator 180 that includes anantenna 186. Indicator control module 198-1 may transmit location signal188 via antenna 186. It is contemplated that antenna 186 may beimplemented using a variety of different antenna structures. In someexamples, antenna 186 may include a metal wire (e.g., monopole antenna,dipole antenna, a helical antenna, etc.) mounted to a printed circuitboard (PCB) of location indicator 180. In other examples, antenna 186may be included on traces of the PCB of location indicator 180. Althougha single antenna is illustrated in FIG. 10A, it is contemplated thatlocation indicators described herein may include more than one antennain some examples.

As described above, location indicator 180 includes an indicator controlmodule 198-1 (e.g., electronic hardware, firmware, and/or software)configured to transmit location signal 188 via antenna 186. Indicatorcontrol module 198-1 may also include memory that includes instructionsthat, when executed by indicator control module 198-1, cause indicatorcontrol module 198-1 to perform various functions attributed toindicator control module 198-1 described herein. Memory of indicatorcontrol module 198-1 may store programs and other operating parametersthat define properties (e.g., codes, frequency parameters, etc.) oflocation signal 188.

The components of location indicator 180 may be enclosed in a housing.For example, the housing may enclose a PCB, antenna 186, indicatorcontrol module 198-1, and indicator power module 200, along with othercomponents. The housing may have a variety of different form factors,depending on where location indicator 180 is to be located within astore. For example, the housing may be configured for resting ormounting on a shelf or wall, mounting on the floor, mounting on theceiling, or embedding in the floor.

Location indicator 180 may encode location signal 188 in a variety ofdifferent formats. For example, location signal 188 may include one ormore frequency components over a range of frequencies from approximatelyDC frequencies up to GHz frequencies. In some examples, indicatorcontrol module 198-1 may be configured to transmit one or more waveformsvia antenna 186, such as on/off signals, sine waves, triangle waves,square waves, etc. In some examples, indicator control module 198-1 maybe configured to generate carrier signals and modulate the carriersignal using analog modulation techniques (e.g., amplitude modulation)and/or digital modulation techniques (e.g., amplitude-shift keying). Insome examples, indicator control module 198-1 may encode digital data(e.g., multiple bits) using modulation techniques.

Mobile scanning devices may be configured to receive location signal 188(e.g., via an antenna) and differentiate location signal 188 fromlocation signals transmitted by other location indicators. For example,mobile scanning devices may be configured to detect parameters (e.g.,frequency content) of location signal 188 and/or the digital dataencoded by location signal 188. As described hereinafter, mobilescanning devices may detect location signal 188 and determine a locationvalue based on location signal 188. In some examples, the locationvalues may be unique. In other examples, some location values determinedthroughout the store may be the same.

Location indicator 180 of FIG. 10A may represent an RFID tag in someexamples, e.g., an active RFID tag, a passive RFID tag, or other type ofRFID tag. If location indicator 180 is an RFID tag, antenna 186 mayrepresent one or more antennas of the RFID tag that transmit signals toa mobile scanning device and/or wirelessly receives energy from a mobilescanning device. Indicator power module 200 may include circuits thatreceive energy via an antenna in some examples. In other examples,indicator power module 200 may represent a battery included in the RFIDtag. Indicator control module 198-1 may represent circuits that transmitRFID data via antenna 186. For example, indicator control module 198-1may include an identification number that is transmitted via antenna 186when the RFID tag is interrogated by a mobile scanning device. In someexamples, an RFID tag may include a power source and be configured totransmit location signal 188. In other examples, an RFID tag may be“awoken” by a mobile scanning device and may transmit a location signalin response to being awoken by the mobile scanning device. In exampleswhere RFID tags harvest power from mobile scanning devices, the locationindicators may not require mains or battery power.

FIG. 10B shows an example location indicator 182 that includes a lightemitting device 190 (e.g., one or more LEDs or other photonic devices).Location indicator 182 includes an indicator control module 198-2 (e.g.,electronic hardware, software, and/or firmware) configured to transmitlocation signal 192 via light emitting device 190. Indicator controlmodule 198-2 may also include memory that includes instructions thatcause indicator control module 198-2 to perform various functionsattributed to indicator control module 198-2 described herein. Memory ofindicator control module 198-2 may store programs and other operatingparameters that define properties (e.g., codes, frequency parameters,etc.) of location signal 192.

The components of location indicator 182 may be enclosed in a housing.For example, the housing may enclose a PCB, light emitting device 190,indicator control module 198-2, and indicator power module 200, alongwith other components. The housing may have a variety of different formfactors, depending on where location indicator 182 is to be locatedwithin a store. For example, the housing may be configured for restingor mounting on a shelf or wall, mounting on the floor, mounting on theceiling, or embedding in the floor.

Location indicator 182 may encode location signal 182 in a variety ofdifferent formats. For example, location signal 192 may include one ormore frequency components over a range of frequencies from approximatelyDC frequencies up to GHz frequencies. In some examples, indicatorcontrol module 198-2 may be configured to transmit one or more waveformsvia light emitting device 190, such as sine waves, triangle waves,square waves, etc. In some examples, indicator control module 198-2 maybe configured to generate carrier signals and modulate the carriersignal using analog modulation techniques (e.g., amplitude modulation)and/or digital modulation techniques (e.g., amplitude-shift keying). Insome examples, indicator control module 198-2 may encode digital data(e.g., multiple bits) using modulation techniques.

Mobile scanning devices may be configured to receive location signal 192(e.g., via a light detection device such as a photodiode,phototransistor, or other device) and differentiate location signal 192from location signals transmitted by other location indicators. Forexample, mobile scanning devices may be configured to detect parameters(e.g., frequency content) of location signal 192 and/or the digital dataencoded by location signal 192. As described hereinafter, mobilescanning devices may detect location signal 192 and determine a locationvalue based on location signal 192.

FIG. 10C shows an example location indicator 184 that includes anacoustic device 194 that transmits location signal 196 by transmittingsound waves. Location indicator 184 includes an indicator control module198-3 (e.g., electronic hardware, software, and/or firmware) configuredto transmit location signal 196 via acoustic device 194. Indicatorcontrol module 198-3 may also include memory that includes instructionsthat cause indicator control module 198-3 to perform various functionsattributed to indicator control module 198-3 described herein. Memory ofindicator control module 198-3 may store programs and other operatingparameters that define properties (e.g., codes, frequency parameters,etc.) of location signal 196.

The components of location indicator 184 may be enclosed in a housing.For example, the housing may enclose a PCB, acoustic device 194,indicator control module 198-3, and indicator power module 200, alongwith other components. The housing may have a variety of different formfactors, depending on where location indicator 184 is to be locatedwithin a store. For example, the housing may be configured for restingor mounting on a shelf or wall, mounting on the floor, mounting on theceiling, or embedding in the floor.

Location indicator 184 may encode location signal 196 in a variety ofdifferent formats. For example, location signal 196 may include one ormore frequency components over a range of frequencies (e.g., audible toinaudible frequencies). In some examples, indicator control module 198-3may be configured to transmit one or more waveforms via acoustic device194, such as sine waves, triangle waves, square waves, etc. In someexamples, indicator control module 198-3 may be configured to generatecarrier signals and modulate the carrier signal using analog modulationtechniques (e.g., amplitude modulation) and/or digital modulationtechniques (e.g., amplitude-shift keying). In some examples, indicatorcontrol module 198-3 may encode digital data (e.g., multiple bits) usingmodulation techniques.

Mobile scanning devices may be configured to receive location signal 196(e.g., via an acoustic detection device) and differentiate locationsignal 196 from location signals transmitted by other locationindicators. For example, mobile scanning devices may be configured todetect parameters (e.g., frequency content) of location signal 196and/or the digital data encoded by location signal 196. As describedhereinafter, mobile scanning devices may detect location signal 196 anddetermine a location value based on location signal 196.

In some examples, location indicators may include readable codes. Forexample, the readable codes may be printed onto objects (e.g., labels)and attached to shelves, walls, the floor, etc. FIGS. 11A-11C showdifferent example readable codes which may be used as locationindicators. FIG. 11A shows a location indicator 202 that includes a barcode (e.g., a UPC-A barcode) attached to a label 204. Label 204 may be apaper label including an adhesive for attaching label 204 to shelves,walls, etc. In other examples, label 204 may be a metal tab that may beattached to shelves, walls, etc. FIG. 11B shows a location indicator 206that includes a different type of readable code (e.g., a PDF417)attached to a label 208. FIG. 11C shows a location indicator 210 thatincludes a different type of readable code (e.g., a QR code) attached toa label 212.

Readable codes on location indicators (e.g., 202, 206, 210) may encode avariety of different data. For example, the readable codes may representalphanumeric codes. Different location indicators in a store may havedifferent codes. In examples where location indicators include readablecodes, each location indicator within a store may have a differentreadable code. Mobile scanning devices may scan the readable codes onthe location indicators to determine a location within the store. Sinceeach location indicator may have a different readable code, the mobilescanning devices may uniquely identify a location within the store basedon the readable code that is scanned from the location indicator.

Mobile scanning devices (e.g., mobile scanning devices 114 of FIG. 1)may be configured to determine a location value based on one or morereceived location signals (e.g., location signals 128 of FIG. 1) and/orscanned readable codes (e.g., readable codes 174-1, 174-2, 174-3). Ingeneral, a location value may refer to any value or plurality of values(e.g., alphanumeric values) determined by a mobile scanning device thatindicate a location of the mobile scanning device within, or outside of,a store. The location values determined by the mobile scanning devicesmay depend on the types of location indicators used in a store. Inexamples where location indicators transmit location signals, mobilescanning devices may determine a location value based on one or morereceived location signals. In examples where location indicators includereadable codes (e.g., barcodes), mobile scanning devices may scan thereadable codes and determine a location value based on the scannedreadable codes.

As describe above, a location value may refer to any value or pluralityof values that indicate a location of the mobile scanning device within,or outside of, a store. In some examples, a mobile scanning device maydetermine a location value based on a location signal that wastransmitted by a location indicator in proximity to the mobile scanningdevice. In other examples, a mobile scanning device may determine alocation value by scanning a location indicator (e.g., a readable code)in proximity to the mobile scanning device. Accordingly, a mobilescanning device may determine a location value in an area of the storein proximity to the location indicator that indicates that locationvalue. In a sense, an area in a store adjacent to a location indicatormay be associated with that location indicator and the location valueassociated with that location indicator. An area of a store (i.e., thefloor space) associated with a location value may also be referred toherein as a “zone” of the store.

FIGS. 12-18 illustrate example arrangements of location indicators andassociated location values that are associated with different areas of astore. Referring now to FIG. 12, location indicators 214-1, 214-2 areconnected to rack 216. Mobile scanning device 218 is moved along rack216. The movement of mobile scanning device 218 is indicated by callouts220-1, 220-2, 220-3, 220-4. As described hereinafter, mobile scanningdevice 218 includes a location detection module that is configured toacquire location signals 222-1, 222-2. The location detection module ofmobile scanning device 218 is represented as a black box on mobilescanning device 218 in FIG. 12.

Initially, mobile scanning device 218 is located at position 220-1. Atposition 220-1, mobile scanning device 218 is outside of the range oflocation signal 222-1. Accordingly, mobile scanning device 218 may notbe detecting a location signal at position 220-1. As described herein,an area in which a mobile scanning device does not acquire a locationsignal may be referred to as a “dead zone.” The areas covered bylocation signals 222-1, 222-2 are illustrated in FIG. 12 as shaded areas(e.g., shaded triangular areas). Mobile scanning devices may acquirelocation signals within the areas covered by the location signals. Inanother example, the areas covered by location signals are illustratedas dotted rectangles (e.g., in FIG. 17).

Mobile scanning device 218 is moved from position 220-1 to position220-2. Mobile scanning device 218 begins acquiring location signal 222-1as mobile scanning device 218 is moved to position 220-2. Mobilescanning device 218 may determine a location value of 224-1 based onreceived location signal 222-1. A convention used herein is to assignthe same reference numbers for location values and the areas in whichmobile scanning devices determine the location values. For example, inFIG. 12, mobile scanning device 218 receives location signal 222-1 anddetermines a location value 224-1 in area 224-1 (i.e., zone 224-1).Similarly, mobile scanning device 218 receives location signal 222-2 anddetermines location value 224-2 in area 224-2 (i.e., zone 224-2) in FIG.12. As an additional example, mobile scanning device 226 receiveslocation signals 230-1, 230-2 and determines location value“232-1+232-2” in area “232-1+232-2” in FIG. 13.

Referring back to FIG. 12, mobile scanning device 218 is moved fromposition 220-2 to position 220-3. Mobile scanning device 218 does notdetect a location signal at position 220-3 (i.e., position 220-3 is a“dead zone”). Accordingly, when moving from position 220-2 to position220-3, mobile scanning device 218 moves from a position in which alocation signal is detected to a position in which location signals arenot detected. Mobile scanning device 218 is then moved from position220-3 to position 220-4. Mobile scanning device 218 acquires locationsignal 222-2 in position 220-4. Mobile scanning device 218 may determinea location value of 224-2 in area 224-2 based on received locationsignal 222-2.

FIG. 13 shows an example in which a mobile scanning device is movedthrough a portion of a store in which location signals overlap in someregions. Initially, mobile scanning device 226 is located at position228-1. Mobile scanning device 226 detects location signal 230-1 atposition 228-1. Mobile scanning device 226 may determine a locationvalue of 232-1 in area 232-1 based on detected location signal 230-1.Mobile scanning device 226 is then moved from position 228-1 to position228-2. When moving from position 228-1 to position 228-2, mobilescanning device 226 moves from a position in which a single locationsignal is detected to a position in which multiple location signals aredetected.

Location signal 230-1 overlaps with location signal 230-2 at position228-2 (as indicated by the triangular hashed region). Put another way,location signals 230-1, 230-2 cover the same area such that mobilescanning device 226 may detect multiple location signals at position228-2. In areas where mobile scanning devices detect multiple locationsignals, the location values and the areas are illustrated in thefigures and described in the text as a sum of values. For example, atposition 228-2, mobile scanning device 226 may detect location signals230-1, 230-2 and determine a location value of “232-1+232-2” in area“232-1+232-2” based on detected location signals 230-1, 230-2. Mobilescanning device 226 is then moved from position 228-2 to position 228-3.Mobile scanning device 226 acquires location signal 230-2 in position228-3. Mobile scanning device 226 may determine a location value of232-2 in area 232-2 based on received location signal 230-2.

FIG. 14 shows an example in which a mobile scanning device 234 is movedthrough a portion of a store in which location indicators 236-1, 236-2transmit location signals 238-1, 238-2 having different frequencycontent. For example, location indicator 236-1 may transmit a locationsignal 238-1 having a first frequency component (“Freq. 1” in FIG. 14)that is different from a frequency component included in location signal238-2. Similarly, location indicator 236-2 may transmit a locationsignal 238-2 having a second frequency component (“Freq. 2” in FIG. 14)that is different from a frequency component included in location signal238-1.

In one example, location signal 238-1 and location signal 238-2 may besine wave signals having first and second frequencies, respectively. Inthis example, the first frequency may be different than the secondfrequency. For example, location signal 238-1 may be a sine wave havinga frequency of 1 kHz and location signal 238-2 may be a sine wave havinga frequency of 2 kHz. Mobile scanning device 238 may detect thedifferent frequencies and differentiate between location signals 238-1,238-2 based on the different frequencies. In examples where a storeincludes an additional plurality of location indicators, each of thelocation indicators may transmit sine waves having differentfrequencies. In these examples, mobile scanning device 234 be configuredto detect the different frequencies and differentiate between thedifferent frequencies of sine waves transmitted by the additionallocation indicators.

Initially, mobile scanning device 234 is located at position 240-1.Mobile scanning device 234 detects location signal 238-1 having a firstfrequency component at position 240-1. Mobile scanning device 234 maydetermine a location value of 242-1 in area 242-1 based on detectedlocation signal 238-1 having the first frequency component. Mobilescanning device 234 is then moved from position 240-1 to position 240-2.When moving from position 240-1 to position 240-2, mobile scanningdevice 234 moves from a position in which only a first frequencycomponent is detected to a position in which first and second frequencycomponents are detected.

Location signal 238-1 overlaps with location signal 238-2 at position240-2 such that mobile scanning device 234 may detect first and secondfrequency components at position 240-2. Accordingly, at position 240-2,mobile scanning device 234 may detect first and second frequencycomponents of location signals 238-1, 238-2 and determine a locationvalue of “242-1+242-2” in area “242-1+242-2” based on the detectedfrequency components of location signals 238-1, 238-2. Mobile scanningdevice 234 is then moved from position 240-2 to position 240-3. Mobilescanning device 234 acquires the second frequency component of locationsignal 238-2 in position 240-3, but may not detect the first frequencycomponent of location signal 238-1. Accordingly, mobile scanning device234 may determine a location value of 242-2 in area 242-2 based on thedetected second frequency component of location signal 238-2.

FIG. 15 shows an example in which a mobile scanning device 244 is movedthrough a portion of a store in which location indicators 246-1, 246-2transmit location signals 248-1, 248-2 including different coded values.For example, location indicator 246-1 may transmit a location signal248-1 including a first code (“Code 1” in FIG. 15) that is differentfrom a second code included in location signal 248-2. Similarly,location indicator 246-2 may transmit a location signal 248-2 having asecond code (“Code 2” in FIG. 15) that is different from the first codeincluded in location signal 248-1. The codes transmitted by locationindicators 246-1, 246-2 may be digital codes (e.g., alphanumeric codes)in some examples.

Mobile scanning device 244 may detect the different codes anddifferentiate between location signals 248-1, 248-2 based on thedifferent codes. In examples where a store includes an additionalplurality of location indicators, each of the location indicators maytransmit different codes. In these examples, mobile scanning device 244may be configured to detect the different codes and differentiatebetween the different codes transmitted by the additional locationindicators.

Initially, mobile scanning device 244 is located at position 250-1.Mobile scanning device 244 detects location signal 248-1 including afirst code at position 250-1. Mobile scanning device 244 may determine alocation value of 252-1 in area 252-1 based on detected location signal248-1 having the first code. Mobile scanning device 244 is then movedfrom position 250-1 to position 250-2. When moving from position 250-1to position 250-2, mobile scanning device 244 moves from a position inwhich only the first code is detected to a position in which first andsecond codes are detected.

Location signal 248-1 overlaps with location signal 248-2 at position250-2 such that mobile scanning device 244 may detect first and secondcodes at position 250-2. Accordingly, at position 250-2, mobile scanningdevice 244 may detect first and second codes and determine a locationvalue of “252-1+252-2” in area “252-1+252-2” based on the detected codesof location signals 248-1, 248-2. Mobile scanning device 244 is thenmoved from position 250-2 to position 250-3. Mobile scanning device 244acquires the second code in position 250-3, but may not detect the firstcode. Accordingly, mobile scanning device 244 may determine a locationvalue of 252-2 in area 252-2 based on the detected second code.

As described herein, location values may be associated with stockeditems. For example, each stocked item in the store may be associatedwith a location value. Each location value may be associated withmultiple different stocked items. In general, a stocked item may beassociated with a location value that may be determined by a mobilescanning device in proximity to that stocked item. In the case where afirst location indicator generates a first location signal including afirst location value, items in proximity to the first location signalmay be associated with the first location value. In the case where afirst location indicator includes a first readable code including afirst location value, items in proximity to the first location indicatorincluding the readable code may be associated with the first locationvalue. The associations between location values and items may begenerated manually by a user in some examples. In other examples, theassociations between location values and items may be generatedautomatically (e.g., by one or more mobile scanning devices and/or thecentral computing system). The associations between location values andstocked items may be stored in one or more mobile scanning devicesand/or the central computing system.

FIG. 16 illustrates example arrangements of location indicators andassociated location values that are associated with different areas of astore. Location indicators 254-1, 254-2, . . . , 254-8 (hereinafter“location indicators 254”) may include readable codes. For example,location indicators 254 may be readable codes printed onto objects(e.g., labels) and attached to racks 256-1, 256-2, . . . , 256-8 alongaisle 258. The readable codes may represent a variety of different data,such as alphanumeric codes.

Mobile scanning device 260 may scan readable codes on locationindicators 254 to determine location values associated with locationindicators 254. As described hereinafter, mobile scanning device 260includes a location detection module (e.g., location detection module422 of FIG. 25) that is configured to scan readable codes of locationindicators 254. Scanning by mobile scanning device 260 is illustrated asa shaded cone 262. Each of location indicators 254 may have differentreadable codes such that mobile scanning device 260 determines differentlocation values for each of location indicators 254. Since each oflocation indicators 254 may have a different readable codes, mobilescanning device 260 may uniquely identify a location within the storebased on the readable code that is scanned from the location indicator.

The area of the store associated with a location value of a readablecode may be the area of the store in proximity to the readable code. Forexample, in FIG. 16, each of racks 256 includes a single locationindicator (i.e., a single location value) that may be associated withthe areas in front of racks 256. The areas associated with locationindicators 254 are illustrated as dotted rectangles in FIG. 16. In oneexample, mobile scanning device 260 may scan location indicator 254-1 todetermine location value 264-1 for area 264-1. Similarly, mobilescanning device 260 may scan location indicator 254-7 to determinelocation value 264-7 for area 264-7.

Initially, mobile scanning device 260 is located at position 266-1. Atposition 266-1, mobile scanning device 260 scans location indicator254-2 and determines location value 264-2 in area 264-2. Mobile scanningdevice 260 is moved from position 266-1 to position 266-2. At position266-2, mobile scanning device 260 scans location indicator 254-8 anddetermines location value 264-8 in area 264-8. As described hereinafter,location value 264-2 may be associated with items on rack 256-2 that maybe accessible in area 264-2. Similarly, location value 264-8 may beassociated with items on rack 256-8 that may be accessible in area264-8.

FIGS. 17-18 show example store layouts including a variety of locationindicators and items. As described herein, items may be associated withlocation values. For example, the central computing system, mobilescanning devices, and/or other computing devices may store associationsbetween items and location values. In general, when the mobile scanningdevice determines a location value, items associated with that locationvalue may be in proximity to the mobile scanning device. Put anotherway, an item may be associated with a location value that would bedetermined by a mobile scanning device in proximity to that item. Insome examples, the associations between the items and the locationvalues may be entered manually by a user. In other examples, theassociations between the items and the location values may beautomatically generated.

FIG. 17 shows a store layout including four racks 268-1, 268-2, 268-3,268-4 (collectively “racks 268”) that define four aisles 270-1, 270-2,270-3, 270-4 (collectively “aisles 274”). The store of FIG. 17 includeslocation indicators 276-1, 276-2, . . . , 276-10 (collectively “locationindicators 276”) that transmit location signals. Mobile scanning device278 may determine location values 280-1, 280-2, . . . , 280-10,“280-5+280-6”, “280-9+280-10” (collectively “location values 280”) basedon detected location signals. The areas covered by location signals areillustrated in FIG. 17 as dotted rectangles. Areas in which multiplelocation signals are detected are illustrated as shaded rectangles inFIG. 17. The store of FIG. 17 also includes dead zones 281-1, 281-2,281-3.

The store of FIG. 17 includes items 282-1, 282-2, . . . , 282-9(collectively “items 282”). Items 282 are associated with locationvalues 280 (i.e., areas) of the store. The associations between items282 and location values 280 may be stored in the central computingsystem, one or more mobile scanning devices, and/or other computingdevices. In general, items are associated with location signals (i.e.,areas) in proximity to the items. For example, item 282-1 may beassociated with location value 280-1. Items 282-3, 282-4, 282-5 may beassociated with location value 280-4. Item 282-6 may be associated withlocation value “280-5+280-6”. Item 282-7 and item 282-9 may beassociated with location value 280-10 and location value 280-9,respectively. Item 282-8 may be associated with location value“280-9+280-10”.

In FIG. 17, it may be assumed that mobile scanning device 278 hasreceived a customer order including items 282. As described hereinafterin greater detail, mobile scanning device 278 may include a display thatdisplays some, or all, of items 282 to a user. Mobile scanning device278 may arrange the displayed items based on which of location signalsare detected. In general, mobile scanning device 278 may arrange thedisplayed items such that the items in proximity to mobile scanningdevice 278 (i.e., in proximity to the user) are viewable by the user onthe display. In one example, mobile scanning device 278 may arrangeitems on the display such that those items in proximity to the user aremore prominently displayed than those items that are farther away frommobile scanning device 278. For example, mobile scanning device 278 maydisplay items in the current area at the top of the display.Additionally, or alternatively, mobile scanning device 278 may displaythe items in bold and/or colored text to indicate those items that arein proximity to the user. Displaying of items based on the currentlydetermined location value is described hereinafter in greater detail.

FIG. 18 shows a store layout including four racks 284-1, 284-2, 284-3,284-4 (collectively “racks 284”) that define four aisles 286-1, 286-2,286-3, 286-4 (collectively “aisles 286”). The store of FIG. 18 includeslocation indicators 288-1, 288-2, . . . , 288-19 (collectively “locationindicators 288”) that include readable codes. Mobile scanning device 290may scan location indicators 288 to determine location values 292-1,292-2, . . . , 292-19 in areas 292-1, 292-2, . . . , 292-19(collectively “areas 292”). Areas 292 in proximity to locationindicators 288 are illustrated as dotted rectangles. For example, mobilescanning device 290 may scan location indicator 288-1 to determinelocation value 292-1 for area 292-1. Similarly, mobile scanning device290 may scan location indicator 288-19 to determine location value292-19 for area 292-19.

The store of FIG. 18 includes items 294-1, 294-2, . . . , 294-7(collectively “items 294”). Items 294 are associated with locationvalues 292 (i.e., areas) of the store. The associations between items294 and location values 292 may be stored in the central computingsystem, one or more mobile scanning devices, and/or other computingdevices. In general, items are associated with location values (i.e.,areas) in proximity to the items. For example, item 294-1 and item 294-2may be associated with location value 292-1 and location value 292-3,respectively. Similarly, items 294-3, 294-4 may be associated withlocation value 292-4. As another example, item 294-5 may be associatedwith location value 292-12.

In FIG. 18, it may be assumed that mobile scanning device 290 hasreceived a customer order including items 294. As described hereinafterin greater detail, mobile scanning device 290 may include a display thatdisplays some, or all, of items 294 to a user. Mobile scanning device290 may arrange the displayed items based on which of location values292 are determined. In general, mobile scanning device 290 may arrangethe displayed items such that the items in proximity to mobile scanningdevice 290 (i.e., in proximity to the user) are viewable by the user onthe display. In one example, mobile scanning device 290 may arrangeitems on the display such that those items in proximity to the user aremore prominently displayed than those items that are farther away frommobile scanning device 290. For example, mobile scanning device 290 maydisplay items in the current area at the top of the display.Additionally, or alternatively, mobile scanning device 290 may displaythe items in bold and/or colored text to indicate those items that arein proximity to the user.

One or more computing devices may store a location map that defines thespatial relationships between different areas of the store. For example,a location map may define the relative distances between different areasof the store. In some examples, two areas may be adjacent to oneanother. For example, the two areas may be touching one another. Inother examples, two areas may not be adjacent to one another. Instead,one or more additional areas may be located between the two areas.

Example location maps are illustrated and described with respect toFIGS. 19A-22B. Location maps are graphically represented herein usingboxes to represent different areas in the store. The boxes are connectedto one another using one or more junctions (e.g., 308-1, 308-2 of FIG.19B). The areas that are adjacent to one another may be connected usinga single junction. For example, in FIG. 19B, area 304-1 is connected toarea 304-2 by junction 308-1. Areas that are separated from one another(e.g., by another junction) may be connected via one or more junctions.For example, area 304-1 is connected to area 304-3 via junction 308-1and junction 308-2 in FIG. 19B because area 304-2 is located betweenarea 304-1 and area 304-3 in FIG. 19A. Location maps may be generatedmanually by a user in some examples. In other examples, the locationmaps may be generated automatically (e.g., by one or more mobilescanning devices and/or the central computing system). The location mapsmay be stored in one or more mobile scanning devices and/or the centralcomputing system.

In general, location maps may define the spatial relationships betweendifferent areas of the store. In examples where location indicatorstransmit location signals, the location map may define how the areas ofthe store covered by the location signals are arranged relative to oneanother. For example, the location map may define the distances betweenthe areas of the store covered by the location signals. In exampleswhere the location indicators include readable codes, the location mapmay define the location of each of the location indicators (i.e.,readable codes) relative to one another. For example, the location mapmay define the distances between different readable codes.

Since items may be associated with location values, and the location mapmay indicate the distance between areas in which the location values aredetermined by a mobile scanning device, a mobile scanning device maydetermine the distance between items using the location map. After amobile scanning device determines the distance between ordered itemsusing the location map, the mobile scanning device may arrange the itemson the display based on the distance of each of the items from thecurrent location of the mobile scanning device (i.e., the user).

Referring now to FIGS. 19A-19B, the store of FIG. 19A includes fourracks 296-1, 296-2, 296-3, 296-4 (collectively “racks 296”) that definefour aisles 298-1, 298-2, 298-3, 298-4 (collectively “aisles 298”). Thestore of FIG. 19A includes location indicators 300-1, 300-2, 300-3,300-4 (collectively “location indicators 300”) that transmit locationsignals 302-1, 302-2, 302-3, 302-4 (collectively “location signals302”). A mobile scanning device may determine location values 304-1,304-2, 304-3, 304-4 based on detected location signals 302-1, 302-2,302-3, 302-4, respectively. Areas 304-1, 304-2, 304-3, 304-4(collectively “areas 304”) covered by location signals 302 areillustrated in FIG. 19A as dotted rectangles.

In FIG. 19A, area 304-1 is adjacent to area 304-2. Area 304-2 isadjacent to area 304-1 and area 304-3. Area 304-3 is adjacent to area304-2 and area 304-4. Area 304-4 is adjacent to area 304-3. Location map306 of FIG. 19B may represent the relative distances between areas 304.For example, area 304-1 is connected to area 304-2 by a single junction308-1 to represent that area 304-1 is adjacent to area 304-2. Similarly,area 304-2 is connected to area 304-3 by a single junction 308-2 torepresent that area 304-2 is adjacent to area 304-3. Area 304-1 and area304-4 are the areas of FIG. 19A that are farthest apart. The distancebetween area 304-1 and area 304-4 may be represented by the threejunctions 308-1, 308-2, 308-3 that separate area 304-1 and area 304-4 inlocation map 306.

FIGS. 20A-20B show another example location indicator layout. FIG. 20Aincludes rack 310 that may be accessed from all sides. Rack 310 includeslocation indicators 312-1, 312-2, . . . , 312-6 (collectively “locationindicators 312”) having readable codes. A mobile scanning device mayscan location indicators 312 to determine location values 314-1, 314-2,. . . , 314-6. Areas 314-1, 314-2, . . . , 314-6 (collectively “areas314”) surround rack 310 such that the location indicator layout in FIG.20A results in a location map 316 in which each of areas 314 areadjacent to two other areas.

Junctions 318-1, 318-2, . . . , 318-6 may represent the relativedistances between areas 314. For example, area 314-1 is connected toarea 314-2 by a single junction 318-1 to represent that area 314-1 isadjacent to area 314-2. Similarly, area 314-2 is connected to area 314-3by a single junction 318-2 to represent that area 314-2 is adjacent toarea 314-3. The distance between area 314-1 and area 314-4, which arenot adjacent, may be represented by the three junctions 318-1, 318-2,318-3 that separate area 314-1 and area 314-4 in location map 316.Similarly, the distance between area 314-3 and area 314-6 may berepresented by the three junctions 318-3, 318-4, 318-5 that separatearea 314-3 and area 314-6 in location map 316. Alternatively, a user maytravel from area 314-3 to area 314-6 via areas 314-1, 314-2. Thedistance between area 314-3 and area 314-6 via areas 314-1, 314-2 may berepresented by three junctions 318-1, 318-2, 318-6 that separate area314-3 and area 314-6.

FIGS. 21A-22B illustrate location indicator layouts which are moreelaborate than those layouts illustrated in FIGS. 19A-20B. The store ofFIG. 21A includes racks 320-1, 320-2. The store of FIG. 21A includeslocation indicators 322-1, 322-2, . . . , 322-7 (collectively “locationindicators 322”) that transmit location signals 324-1, 324-2, . . . ,324-7 (collectively “location signals 324”). A mobile scanning devicemay determine location values 326-1, 326-2, . . . , 326-7 based ondetected location signals 324 in areas 326-1, 326-2, . . . , 326-7(collectively “areas 326”).

The layout of location indicators in FIG. 21A may be considered to bemore elaborate than the layout of location indicators in FIGS. 19A-20Bin that the store of FIG. 21A includes a greater number of areas.Furthermore, areas 326 in FIG. 21A may be adjacent to up to four otherareas. For example, area 326-3 is adjacent to areas 326-2, 326-4, 326-6,326-7. Multiple other areas are also adjacent to three other areas. Forexample, area 326-2 is adjacent to areas 326-1, 326-3, 326-4.

Location map 328 includes junctions 330-1, 330-2, . . . , 330-10(collectively “junctions 330”). Junctions 330 may represent distancesbetween areas 326. For example, adjacent areas (i.e., those connected byone junction) may be closer to one another than non-adjacent areas.However, since areas 326 are not all of equal size, all of junctions 330may not represent equal distances. For example, areas 326-1, 326-3,326-5 are slightly larger than areas 326-2, 326-4, 326-6, 326-7.Therefore, any path through location map 328 including areas 326-1,326-3, 326-5 may represent a slightly longer distance than paths that donot include areas 326-1, 326-3, 326-5. For example, a path from area326-6 to area 326-4 via area 326-5 (i.e., via junctions 330-6, 330-5)may represent a slightly greater distance than a path from area 326-5 toarea 326-7 via area 326-6 (i.e., via junctions 330-6, 330-8).

As described above with respect to FIGS. 21A-21B, the number ofjunctions between areas may generally represent the distance betweenareas. However, in some examples, the distance represented by a junctionmay vary depending on the amount of area covered by a locationindicator. Accordingly, it follows that the arrangement of locationindicators and the areas covered by location signals may be adjusted inorder to adjust the information conveyed by a location map stored withina computing device. For example, when location indicators are arrangedat approximately equal distances from one another, the junctions of alocation map may represent approximately equal distances betweendifferent areas of the store.

FIGS. 22A-22B illustrate a location indicator layout in which twolocation signals overlap to form an area of the store in which a mobilescanning device detects multiple location signals. The store of FIG. 22Aincludes racks 332-1, 332-2. The store of FIG. 22A includes locationindicators 334-1, 334-2, . . . , 334-8 (collectively “locationindicators 334”) that transmit location signals 336-1, 336-2, . . . ,336-8 (collectively “location signals 336”). A mobile scanning devicemay determine location values 338-1, 338-2, . . . , 338-8, and“338-1+338-2” based on detected location signals 336 in areas 338-1,338-2, . . . , 338-8, and “338-1+338-2” (collectively “areas 338”). Notethat location map 340 of FIG. 22B includes an area “338-1+338-2” inwhich two location signals 336-1, 336-2 are detected by a mobilescanning device. In this example, area “338-1+338-2” is mapped as anarea that is adjacent to area 338-1 and area 338-2. Location map 340includes junctions 342-1, 342-2, . . . , 342-11 (collectively “junctions342”). Junctions 342 may represent distances between areas 338. Each ofjunctions 342 may not represent equal distances, as described above withrespect to FIGS. 21A-21B.

FIG. 23A shows an example store including items 344-1, 344-2, . . . ,344-11 (collectively “items 344”). FIG. 23B shows a location map 346including items 344. Location map 346 illustrates the associationbetween location values 348 and items 344. Note that the layout of thelocation indicators and the location map 346 of FIGS. 23A-23B have beendescribed with reference to FIGS. 21A-21B.

Each of items 344 is associated with a location value. For example,items 344-1, 344-2, . . . , 344-6 are proximate to area 348-1 andassociated with location value 348-1. Items 344-7, 344-8, 344-9 areproximate to area 348-3 and associated with location value 348-3. Item344-10 is proximate to area 348-6 and associated with location value348-6. Item 344-11 is proximate to area 348-5 and associated withlocation value 348-5. As described hereinafter, items may be displayedon a mobile scanning device based on a location map and a currentlydetermined location value. For example, a mobile scanning device mayinclude a location map which the mobile scanning device may use toarrange ordered items on the display of the mobile scanning device.

FIGS. 24-25 show functional block diagrams of example mobile scanningdevices. Mobile scanning device 350 of FIG. 24 is configured to receivelocation signals and determine location values based on receivedlocation signals. Mobile scanning device 352 of FIG. 25 is configured toscan location indicators that include readable objects and determinelocation values based on the scanned readable objects. Mobile scanningdevices 350, 352 may be implemented using a variety of different formfactors.

Referring now to FIG. 24, mobile scanning device 350 includes atouchscreen display 354 and a user interface 356. Touchscreen display354 may include a combination display (e.g., an LCD or OLED display) anda touchscreen. Touchscreen display 354 may display information (e.g.,ordered items) to a user. Touchscreen display 354 may also receive usertouch input, such as tapping, swiping, and multi-finger input. Althoughmobile scanning devices 350, 352 include touchscreen display 354, inother examples, the display of a mobile scanning device may not includetouchscreen capabilities.

User interface 356 may represent user interface components, other thantouchscreen display 354, which may provide a user interface experience.A user may interact with mobile scanning device 350 using user interface356. User interface 356 may include input components which a user mayuse to input information into mobile scanning device 350, such as touchcontrols (e.g., capacitive touch buttons, a touchpad, and/or a touchwheel), a keypad (e.g., alphanumeric keys), buttons, a directional pad,an analog stick, switches, a scroll wheel, a track ball, accelerometers,a microphone, or other user interface components. User interface 356 mayalso include one or more feedback components that provide feedback to auser. Feedback components may include a speaker that provides audiblefeedback, a vibrating device that provides tactile feedback, and/orvisual feedback devices (e.g., LEDs).

A user may interact with mobile scanning device 350 using touchscreendisplay 354 and/or user interface 356. For example, a user may viewitems included in customer orders along with other information ontouchscreen display 354. A user may also swipe their finger acrosstouchscreen display 354 to scroll through the items displayed ontouchscreen display 354. As described herein, the items displayed ontouchscreen display 354 may be arranged based on a current location ofmobile scanning device 350.

Mobile scanning device 350 includes a processing module 358 and memory360. Processing module 358 may take the form of one or moremicroprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs),application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmablegate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic circuitry, or the like. Thefunctions attributed to processing module 358 herein may be embodied ashardware, firmware, software or any combination thereof. Processingmodule 358 may provide any of the functionality ascribed herein tomobile scanning device 350, or otherwise perform any of the methodsdescribed herein.

Memory 360 may store instructions that cause processing module 358 toprovide the functionality ascribed to mobile scanning device 350 herein.Memory 360 may include any fixed or removable media. For example, memory360 may include magnetic or electrical media, such as RAM, ROM, magneticdisks, EEPROM, or the like. Memory 360 may also include a removablememory portion that may be used to provide memory updates or increasesin memory capacities.

Mobile scanning device 350 includes a communication module 362 that mayprovide wireless communication functionality. Mobile scanning device 350may communicate with other computing devices using communication module362, which may be coupled to an internal antenna or an external antenna.For example, mobile scanning device 350 may send data to other computingdevices using communication module 362. Additionally, mobile scanningdevice 350 may receive data from other computing devices usingcommunication module 362. Examples of wireless communication techniquesthat may be employed to facilitate communication between mobile scanningdevice 350 and other computing devices using communication module 362may include communication according to 802.11 or Bluetooth specificationsets, infrared communication, e.g., according to the IrDA standard,near-field communication (NFC), or other standard or proprietarycommunication protocols.

In some examples, mobile scanning device 350 may communicate directlywith other mobile scanning devices. For example, mobile scanning device350 may transmit data from communication module 362 to a communicationmodule of another mobile scanning device. Similarly, mobile scanningdevice 350 may receive data from one or more mobile scanning devices viacommunication module 362. In other examples, mobile scanning device 350may communicate with other mobile scanning devices via a communicationsystem of a store (e.g., communication system 112 of FIG. 1). In theseexamples, mobile scanning device 350 may transmit data to thecommunication system from communication module 362. The transmitted datamay then be sent from the communication system to other mobile scanningdevices.

In some examples, mobile scanning device 350 may communicate with acentral computing system of a store (e.g., central computing system 104of FIG. 1) via a communication system (e.g., communication system 112 ofFIG. 1) of the store. For example, mobile scanning device 350 maytransmit data from communication module 362 to the communication system.The communication system may then send the data to the central computingsystem. Mobile scanning device 350 may also receive data from thecommunication system. For example, the central computing system may senddata to the communication system which then wirelessly transmits thedata to communication module 362.

Mobile scanning device 350 includes a scanning module 364 that mayrepresent any devices (e.g., electronic hardware, software/firmware)configured to scan item ID codes. For example, scanning module 364 maybe configured to scan printed codes, such as barcodes (e.g., linear, 2D,or QR barcodes). Scanning module 364 may include one or more types oftechnology for scanning item ID codes. In some examples, scanning module364 may include one or more photodiodes and associatedelectronics/software for reading light and dark portions of an item IDcode on the item. In some examples, scanning module 364 may include oneor more lasers and associated electronics/software for scanning back andforth across an item ID code to read the item ID code. In some examples,scanning module 364 may include one or more CCD readers and associatedelectronics/software for reading light and dark portions of an item IDcode on the item. In some examples, scanning module 364 may include asmall camera (e.g., CCD or CMOS imaging) and associated image processingelectronics/software for interpreting the item ID code. Shading 366included in FIGS. 24-25 is meant to illustrate the scanning of item IDcode 368 (e.g., a barcode) on item 370, e.g., using a photodiode, one ormore lasers, or other technology.

Scanning module 364 may be configured to scan item ID codes in responseto user input. For example, a user may press a key (e.g., pull atrigger) on user interface 356 to cause scanning module 364 to scan anitem ID code. Example form factors of mobile scanning device 350including a key (e.g., a trigger) which may be pressed by a user toinitiate an item scan are illustrated in FIGS. 26A, 26B, 26D, 26F. Inother examples, scanning module 364 may not require user input tooperate. Instead, scanning module 364 may constantly operate. In theseexamples, a laser, or other technology included in scanning module 364may constantly operate and may scan an item ID code when the user placesthe item including the item ID code in front of scanning module 364.

In some examples, item ID codes may not be included on items as printedcodes. Instead, items may include RFID tags that include the item IDcodes. It is contemplated that scanning module 364 may include an RFIDtag reader in addition to, or instead of, optical scanning technology inorder to allow scanning module 364 to scan RFID tags. Accordingly,scanning module 364 may also represent RFID reader electronics/softwarefor scanning RFID tags.

Mobile scanning device 350 includes a location detection module 372 thatreceives a location signal and determines a location value based on thereceived location signal. A location indicator 374 that transmitslocation signal 376 is included in FIG. 24 to indicate that locationdetection module 372 is configured to receive location signals. Locationdetection module 372 may generally represent any devices (e.g.,electronic hardware and software) capable of receiving location signalsand generating location values described herein. In some examples,location detection module 372 may include an antenna for receivinglocation signals transmitted by antennas included on locationindicators. In other examples, location detection module 372 may includea light detection device for receiving location signals transmitted bylight emitting devices (e.g., LEDs or other photonic devices). In otherexamples, location detection module 372 may include an acoustic devicefor receiving location signals (e.g., sound waves) transmitted by anacoustic device. In other examples, where location indicators in thestore include RFID tags, location detection module 372 may be configuredto scan the RFID tags and determine a location value based on the dataretrieved from the RFID tags. Additionally, in some examples, locationdetection module 372 may be configured to transmit energy to energizeRFID tags so that the RFID tags may transmit data to location detectionmodule 372.

Mobile scanning device 350 includes a power source 378 that deliversoperating power to the components of mobile scanning device 350. Powersource 378 may include a fixed or removable battery in some examples. Insome examples, power source 378 may include an adapter for charging thebattery.

Processing module 358 may receive input and data from various componentsof mobile scanning device 350. For example, processing module 358 mayreceive user input from user interface 356 and touchscreen display 354.Additionally, processing module 358 may receive data from communicationmodule 362 (e.g., received wireless data and customer orders), scanningmodule 364 (e.g., item IDs), and location detection module 372 (e.g.,location values). Processing module 358 may also receive data frommemory 360 (e.g., a location map and associations between items andlocation values).

Processing module 358 may also send data to components of mobilescanning device 350. For example, processing module 358 may store a listof items in memory 360 from the customer orders that have been placed.Processing module 358 may store the items of customer orders in memory360 as follows. When a customer order is placed, a communication system(e.g., communication system 112) may transmit the customer order tocommunication module 362. Processing module 358 may then store thereceived customer order in memory 360. Processing module 358 may thenupdate the customer orders in memory 360 as new customer orders areplaced.

Processing module 358 may also control components of mobile scanningdevice 350, such as touchscreen display 354 and scanning module 364. Forexample, processing module 358 may control the image (e.g., the ordereditems) displayed on touchscreen display 354. Additionally, processingmodule 358 may control when scanning module 364 scans an item. Forexample, when processing module 358 detects a user pushing a scan button(e.g., a trigger) of user interface 356, processing module 358 mayinstruct scanning module 364 to scan an item ID code. After scanningmodule 364 scans an item ID code, scanning module 364 may send the itemID code to processing module 358. As described hereinafter, processingmodule 358 may keep track of which items have been scanned by mobilescanning device 350 and other mobile scanning devices. For example,processing module 358 may remove the item ID code from the list ofcurrently ordered items in memory 360 after the item has been scanned.

Although the mobile scanning devices are illustrated in FIGS. 24-25 asrectangular, mobile scanning device 350 may be configured into a varietyof different form factors. In general, mobile scanning device 350 mayhave a form factor that may be transported by a user throughout thestore. In some examples, mobile scanning device 350 may have a handheldform factor. In other examples, mobile scanning device 350 may beconfigured to be placed in, or attached to, a cart and moved around thestore by a user.

In some examples, components of mobile scanning device 350 may beincluded in a single housing (e.g., a molded plastic housing). Forexample, touchscreen display 354, user interface 356, memory 360,communication module 362, processing module 358, scanning module 364,location detection module 372, and power source 378 may be housed in asingle housing. When housed in the single housing, in some examples,mobile scanning device 350 may be embodied as a hand-held computingdevice that a user may easily transport throughout the store.

Although the mobile scanning devices in FIGS. 24-25 are illustrated asincluded in a single rectangular housing, it is contemplated thatcomponents of mobile scanning devices may be housed in multipledifferent housings. In these examples, the different components ofmobile scanning devices may be wired together or may wirelesslycommunicate with one another. Example mobile scanning device formfactors are illustrated in FIGS. 26A-I.

FIG. 26A shows an example from factor 380 in which a mobile scanningdevice of the present disclosure may be implemented. The example devicepictured in FIG. 26A is an XG100 W mobile computer available from JanamTechnologies LLC. Form factor 380 includes a display 382, keypad 384,and an example scanning module 386 (e.g., barcode reader). Although notshown in FIG. 26A, form factor 380 may be configured to include aninternal communication module, memory, processing module, and powersource according to the present disclosure. In examples where a storeincludes location indicators that have readable codes, scanning module386 may also act as a location detection module. In examples wherelocation indicators transmit location signals, additional components maybe added to form factor 380 so that form factor 380 is configured toreceive transmitted location signals. For example, an antenna, a lightdetection device, an acoustic device, and/or an RFID reader may be addedto the form factor to receive transmitted location signals.

FIG. 26B shows an example from factor 388 in which a mobile scanningdevice of the present disclosure may be implemented. The example deviceof FIG. 26B is an Alien ALH-9000 handheld RFID reader available fromAlien Technology. Form factor 388 includes a display 390, keypad 392, anexample location detection module 394 (e.g., an RFID reader), and anexample scanning module 396 (e.g., a barcode reader). Although not shownin FIG. 26B, form factor 388 may be configured to include an internalcommunication module, memory, processing module, and power sourceaccording to the present disclosure.

FIG. 26C shows an example from factor 398 in which a mobile scanningdevice of the present disclosure may be implemented. The example deviceof FIG. 26C is an MC55A0 handheld terminal available from Motorola, Inc.Form factor 398 includes a display 400, keypad 402, and an examplescanning module (not shown) (e.g., barcode reader). Although not shownin FIG. 26C, form factor 398 may be configured to include an internalcommunication module, memory, processing module, and power sourceaccording to the present disclosure. In examples where a store includeslocation indicators that have readable codes, the scanning module mayalso act as a location detection module. In examples where locationindicators transmit location signals, additional components may be addedto form factor 398 so that form factor 398 is configured to receivetransmitted location signals. For example, an antenna, a light detectiondevice, an acoustic device, and/or an RFID reader may be added to theform factor to receive transmitted location signals.

FIG. 26D shows an example from factor 404 in which a mobile scanningdevice of the present disclosure may be implemented. The example deviceof FIG. 26D is a WT4090 wearable terminal available from Motorola, Inc.Form factor 404 includes a display 406, keypad 408, and an examplescanning module 410 (e.g., barcode reader). Although not shown in FIG.26D, form factor 404 may be configured to include an internalcommunication module, memory, processing module, and power sourceaccording to the present disclosure. In examples where a store includeslocation indicators that have readable codes, scanning module 410 mayalso act as a location detection module. In examples where locationindicators transmit location signals, additional components may be addedto form factor 404 so that form factor 404 is configured to receivetransmitted location signals. For example, an antenna, a light detectiondevice, an acoustic device, and/or an RFID reader may be added to theform factor to receive transmitted location signals.

FIGS. 26E-26I show example components that may be included in mobilescanning devices according to the present disclosure. FIGS. 26E-26F showexample scanning modules 412, 414 (e.g., barcode scanners) that may beincluded in a mobile scanning device. For example, scanning modules 412,414 may be connected to (e.g., wired/wirelessly) other components of amobile scanning device of the present disclosure. The example devices ofFIG. 26E-26F represent typical barcode scanners.

FIG. 26G shows an example touchscreen display 416 that may be includedin a mobile scanning device. For example, such a touchscreen display 416may be connected to (e.g., wired/wirelessly) other components of amobile scanning device of the present disclosure. The example device ofFIG. 26G is an iPad mini available from Apple, inc. FIG. 26H shows anexample display 418 (e.g., an electrophoretic display) that may beincluded in a mobile scanning device. For example, such a display 418may be connected to (e.g., wired/wirelessly) other components of amobile scanning device of the present disclosure. The example device ofFIG. 26H is a Kindle available from Amazon.com, Inc. FIG. 26I showsanother example display 420 that may be included in a mobile scanningdevice. Display 420 is a heads-up display that may be worn on a user'shead, e.g., as a pair of glasses. Display 420 may be connected to (e.g.,wired/wirelessly) other components of a mobile scanning device of thepresent disclosure. The example device of FIG. 26I is a Google Glass®device available from Google, Inc.

FIG. 25 shows another example mobile scanning device 352. Mobilescanning device 352 of FIG. 25 is similar to mobile scanning device 350of FIG. 24, except that location detection module 422 of FIG. 25 isdifferent than location detection module 372 of FIG. 24. Locationdetection module 422 is configured to scan location indicators thatinclude readable codes (e.g., location indicator 424) and determine alocation value based on the scanned readable code. In some examples, thescanning functionality of scanning module 364 and location detectionmodule 422 may be combined. For example, if location indicators includebarcodes, mobile scanning device 352 may include barcode scanninghardware/software that may scan barcodes included on items and scanbarcodes included on location indicators. In some implementations,location detection module 422 may not require user input to operate.Instead, location detection module 422 may continuously operate suchthat location detection module 422 detects (e.g., scans) locationindicators including readable codes (e.g., barcodes) as the user ofmobile scanning device 352 passes by the location indicators. Putanother way, location detection module 422 may automatically detectlocation indicators including readable codes as a user moves mobilescanning device 352 throughout the store.

As described above, customers may place customer orders with a centralcomputing system. FIG. 27 shows the placement of customer orders withcentral computing system 426 using customer computing devices 427. InFIG. 27, central computing system 426 is configured to wirelesslytransmit customer orders to mobile scanning devices 428-1, 428-2, . . ., 428-Y (collectively “mobile scanning devices 428”) via communicationsystem 430. Each of mobile scanning devices 428 may receive the customerorders. Each of mobile scanning devices 428 may store the receivedcustomer orders in their respective memories.

Each of mobile scanning devices 428 may also display at least some ofthe ordered items on their respective displays. The arrangement of itemsdisplayed on each of mobile scanning devices 428 may depend on thelocations of the mobile scanning devices. Arrangement of items on amobile scanning device is described in further detail hereinafter.

Although multiple mobile scanning devices 428 are illustrated in FIG.27, in some examples, a store may include only a single mobile scanningdevice. For example, a store may include only mobile scanning device428-1. In this example, central computing system 426 may wirelesslytransmit customer orders to mobile scanning device 428-1. Mobilescanning device 428-1 may store the received customer orders in memory.Additionally, mobile scanning device 428-1 may determine a locationvalue based a received location signal (or scanned readable code) andarrange the items (e.g., some of the items) of customer orders on thedisplay according to the determined location value.

It is contemplated that a store may include any number of mobilescanning devices. As described above, a store may include a singlemobile scanning device in some examples. In other examples, a store mayinclude two or more mobile scanning devices. For example, a store mayinclude 10 or more mobile scanning devices in some examples.

FIGS. 28A-C show how multiple mobile scanning devices may displaycustomer orders to users. In FIG. 28A, store 432 includes two mobilescanning devices 434-1, 434-2. It can be assumed that each of mobilescanning devices 434-1, 434-2 has received one or more customer ordersincluding items 344-1, 344-2, . . . , 344-11 (collectively “items 344”)from a communication system. For example, a single customer order mayhave included all items 344. As another example, a first customer ordermay have included items 344-1, 344-2, and a second customer order mayhave included the remaining items 344-3, 344-4, . . . , 344-11. It mayalso be assumed that each of the memories of mobile scanning devices434-1, 434-2 include items 344, a location map of store 432, andassociations between items 344 and location values 348. The location map346 of store 432 including items 344 is illustrated in FIG. 23B.

As shown in FIG. 28A, mobile scanning device 434-1 is in zone 348-1which includes items 344-1, 344-2, . . . , 344-6. Accordingly, mobilescanning device 434-1 is likely to be nearest to items 344-1, 344-2, . .. , 344-6. According to location map 346, mobile scanning device 434-1is near zone 348-3 including items 344-7, 344-8, 344-9. The next nearestzones including items of customer orders are zones 348-6, 348-5, whichinclude items 344-10, 344-11. Based on the proximity of the zonesdescribed above with respect to location map 346, it may be mostefficient for a user of mobile scanning device 434-1 to pick items fromzone 348-1, then zone 348-3, then zone 348-6 and zone 348-5.

Mobile scanning device 434-2 is in zone 348-5, which includes item344-11. Accordingly, mobile scanning device 434-2 is likely to benearest to item 344-11. According to location map 346, mobile scanningdevice 434-2 is near zone 348-6 including item 344-10. The next nearestzones including items of customer orders are zone 348-3 and zone 348-1,which include items 344-7, 344-8, 344-9 and items 344-1, 344-2, . . . ,344-6, respectively. Based on the proximity of the zones described abovewith respect to location map 346, it may be most efficient for a user ofmobile scanning device 434-2 to pick items from zone 348-5, then zone348-6, zone 348-3, and zone 348-1.

FIG. 28B shows an example display 436-1 of mobile scanning device 434-1before mobile scanning device 434-1 has picked any of items 344. FIG.28C shows an example display 436-2 of mobile scanning device 434-2before mobile scanning device 434-2 has picked any of items 344. In FIG.28B, display 436-1 of mobile scanning device 434-1 has items 344arranged such that the items nearest to mobile scanning device 434-1 arelocated at the top of display 436-1. In FIG. 28C, display 436-2 ofmobile scanning device 434-2 has items 344 arranged such that the itemsnearest to mobile scanning device 434-2 are located at the top ofdisplay 436-2. The zones that include each of the items are indicatednext to displays 436-1, 436-2. Items in dotted boxes under displays436-1, 436-2 represent those items that may not fit onto displays 436-1,436-2. Items in dotted boxes may appear on displays 436-1, 436-2 whenmobile scanning devices 434-1, 434-2 are moved throughout store 432and/or mobile scanning devices 434-1, 434-2 scan one or more of items344. In some examples, a user may swipe displays 436-1, 436-2 to scrolldown the items 344 to reveal those items that are currently notdisplayed.

It is contemplated that many customer orders (e.g., dozens of orders)may be placed with a store over a relatively short period of time. Eachof the customer orders placed may include many items (e.g., dozens ofitems). Accordingly, the display of a mobile scanning device may not beable to sufficiently display all of the items that are currentlyordered. Displaying those items which are likely closest to the users ofmobile scanning devices, as illustrated in FIGS. 28B-28C, may allow theusers to easily determine which items to pick. For example, if more than100 items are currently ordered by customers, each mobile scanningdevice in a store may display 10-20 of the closest items so that theuser can focus on picking those 10-20 items. In examples where moreitems are ordered than may be displayed on a display, the mobilescanning devices may determine an order in which to display thoseordered items which are not currently displayed. For example, mobilescanning devices may arrange the items in memory based on the distancesof the items from the mobile scanning devices (e.g., using a locationmap).

As described above, users may scan item IDs of ordered items usingmobile scanning devices. In general, a user may scan an item ID using amobile scanning device when the user picks the item off a rack. Afterscanning the item ID code, the user may place the item in a cart andtake the item to a collection area of the store where the items of acustomer order are put together for customer pickup or delivery. Amobile scanning device may communicate to other computing devices thatthe mobile scanning device has scanned an item. For example, a mobilescanning device may communicate to the central computing system and/orother mobile scanning devices that an item ID code has been scanned.Accordingly, the central computing system and/or the mobile scanningdevices may determine which items of the current customer orders havealready been picked by other mobile scanning devices.

FIGS. 29A-29B show example communications between mobile scanningdevices and a central computing system. In FIGS. 29A-29B, it may beassumed that mobile scanning devices 438-1, 438-2, . . . , 438-A(collectively “mobile scanning devices 438”) have received customerorders for one or more items. In FIG. 29A, mobile scanning device 438-1scans an item ID code and communicates back to communication system 440that the item has been picked. Communication system 440 may indicate tocentral computing system 442 that the item has been picked. Based onthis information, central computing system 442 may update the status ofthe customer orders in central computing system 442 to indicate that theitem has been picked. Additionally, or alternatively, central computingsystem 442 may indicate to mobile scanning devices 438-2, . . . , 438-Athat the item has been picked. Mobile scanning devices 438 may updatetheir memories to indicate that the item has been picked. For example,mobile scanning devices 438 may delete the item from memory and/orremove the items from their displays because users of mobile scanningdevices 438 no longer need to pick the item.

In FIG. 29B, mobile scanning device 438-1 scans an item ID code andcommunicates back to communication system 440 and mobile scanningdevices 438-2, . . . , 438-A that the item has been picked. In FIG. 29B,mobile scanning devices 438 are configured to communicate with oneanother, which may allow any of mobile scanning devices 438 to indicateto any other one of mobile scanning devices 438 that an item has beenpicked. Mobile scanning device 438-1 may also indicate to centralcomputing system 442, via communication system 440, that the item hasbeen picked so that central computing system 442 may keep track of whichitems are currently picked. Mobile scanning devices 438 may update theirmemories to indicate that the item has been picked. For example, mobilescanning devices 438 may delete the item from memory and/or remove theitems from their displays because users of mobile scanning devices 438no longer need to pick the item.

FIGS. 30A-30C show store 432 and mobile scanning devices 434-1, 434-2 ofFIGS. 28A-28C after mobile scanning devices 434-1, 434-2 have movedthrough store 432 and picked some items. In FIG. 30A, mobile scanningdevice 434-1 has scanned items 344-1, . . . , 344-6 and been moved fromzone 348-1 to zone 348-3. In FIG. 30A, mobile scanning device 434-2 hasscanned item 344-11 and been moved from zone 348-5 to zone 348-6.

As shown in FIG. 30A, mobile scanning device 434-1 is in zone 348-3which includes items 344-7, 344-8, 344-9. Accordingly, mobile scanningdevice 434-1 is likely to be nearest to items 344-7, 344-8, 344-9.According to location map 346, mobile scanning device 434-1 is near zone348-6 including item 344-10. Based on the proximity of the zonesdescribed above with respect to location map 346, it may be mostefficient for a user of mobile scanning device 434-1 to pick items fromzone 348-3, then zone 348-6. In FIG. 30B, display 436-1 of mobilescanning device 434-1 has items 344-7, 344-8, 344-9, 344-10 arrangedsuch that the items nearest to mobile scanning device 434-1 are locatedat the top of display 436-1, while the items farthest from mobilescanning device 434-1 (e.g., item 344-10) are located farther downdisplay 436-1.

As shown in FIG. 30A, mobile scanning device 434-2 is in zone 348-6which includes item 344-10. Accordingly, mobile scanning device 434-2 islikely to be near item 344-10. According to location map 346, mobilescanning device 434-2 is near zone 348-3 including items 344-7, 344-8,344-9. Based on the proximity of the zones described above with respectto location map 346, it may be most efficient for a user of mobilescanning device 434-2 to pick items from zone 348-6 and then zone 348-3.In FIG. 30C, display 436-2 of mobile scanning device 434-2 has items344-7, 344-8, 344-9, 344-10 arranged such that the items nearest tomobile scanning device 434-2 are located at the top of display 436-2,while the items farthest from mobile scanning device 434-2 (e.g., item344-7, 344-8, 344-9) are located farther down the display.

FIGS. 31A-31C show how a display of a mobile scanning device may beupdated as the mobile scanning device is moved throughout a store. FIG.31A shows a store 444 including a mobile scanning device 446. It may beassumed that mobile scanning device 446 has received a customer orderincluding items 448-1, 448-2, 448-3, 448-4 (collectively “items 448”).In FIG. 31A, mobile scanning device 446 is moved throughout store 444without picking items 448. Arrows show the path of mobile scanningdevice 446 through store 444. Initially, mobile scanning device 446 isat position 450-1 in zone 452-2. Mobile scanning device 446 then movesto position 450-2 in zone 452-4. Subsequently, mobile scanning device446 moves to position 450-3 in zone 452-5.

FIG. 31B shows a location map 454 of store 444. Location map 454 may bestored in mobile scanning device 446 in some examples. Location map 454includes zones 452-1, 452-2, . . . , 452-6 and junctions 456-1, 456-2, .. . , 456-6. FIG. 31C shows display 458 of mobile scanning device 446 atdifferent positions 450-1, 450-2, 450-3 in store 444. Mobile scanningdevice 446 may arrange items 448 on display 458 based on location map454. For example, mobile scanning device 446 may arrange items that arenearest to mobile scanning device 446 at the top of display 458. Mobilescanning device 446 may arrange those items that are farther from mobilescanning device 446 toward the bottom of display 458. In somecircumstances (not illustrated in FIG. 31A), more items may be orderedby customers than could be displayed on display 458. In thesecircumstances, mobile scanning device 446 would include some of theordered items on display 458 and, as mobile scanning device 446 is movedthroughout store 444, items that were not originally displayed ondisplay 458 may appear on display 458 as mobile scanning device 446 ismoved into a zone including those items.

Initially, mobile scanning device 446 is located at position 450-1.Mobile scanning device 446 may determine location value 452-2 in zone452-2. According to location map 454, item 448-1 is located in zone452-2. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 31C, mobile scanning device446 may display item 448-1 at the top of display 458. Mobile scanningdevice 446 may determine that item 448-2 is the next nearest ordereditem since item 448-2 is two junctions 456-2, 456-3 from zone 452-2.Accordingly, item 448-2 may be displayed below item 448-1 on display 458when mobile scanning device 446 is at position 450-1. Items 448-3,448-4, which are located farthest from zone 452-2 may be displayed atthe bottom of the items displayed on display 458 since those items arefarthest from zone 452-2.

As illustrated in FIG. 31A, mobile scanning device 446 is moved fromposition 450-1 to position 450-2. Mobile scanning device 446 maydetermine location value 452-4 at position 450-2. In zone 452-4, mobilescanning device 446 may determine that item 448-2 is nearest to mobilescanning device 446. Mobile scanning device 446 may also determine thatitems 448-3, 448-4 are the next nearest ordered items because zone 452-5is adjacent to zone 452-4. Additionally, mobile scanning device 446 maydetermine that item 448-1 is farthest from mobile scanning device 446.Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 31C, items 448-2, 448-3, 448-4,448-1 are arranged from the top of display 458 to the bottom of display458 when mobile scanning device 446 is at position 450-2.

As illustrated in FIG. 31A, mobile scanning device 446 is moved fromposition 450-2 to position 450-3. Mobile scanning device 446 maydetermine location value 452-5 at position 450-3. In zone 452-5, mobilescanning device 446 may determine that items 448-3, 448-4 are nearest tomobile scanning device 446. Mobile scanning device 446 may alsodetermine that item 448-2 is the next nearest ordered item because zone452-4 is adjacent to zone 452-5. Additionally, mobile scanning device446 may determine that item 448-1 is farthest from mobile scanningdevice 446. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 31C, items 448-3, 448-4,448-2, 448-1 are arranged from the top of display 458 to the bottom ofdisplay 458 when mobile scanning device 446 is at position 450-3.

Although a mobile scanning device may arrange items nearest to themobile scanning device near the top of the display, it is contemplatedthat items nearest to the mobile scanning device may be indicated on thedisplay in another manner. For example, a mobile scanning device mayarrange the nearest items near the bottom of the display. In otherexamples, the mobile scanning device may display the nearest items inbold font. In other examples, the mobile scanning device may display thenearest items in larger font. In still other examples, the mobilescanning device may display the nearest items in different colors.

FIGS. 32A-32E show displays of multiple mobile scanning devices and howthe displays are updated when items are picked. FIG. 32A shows a store460 including mobile scanning devices 462-1, 462-2, 462-3. It may beassumed that mobile scanning devices 462-1, 462-2, 462-3 have received acustomer order including items 463-1, 463-2, 463-3, 463-4 (collectively“items 463”). In FIGS. 32A-32E, it may be assumed that each of mobilescanning devices 462-1, 462-2, 462-3 is maintained in the zonesillustrated in FIG. 32A. For example, mobile scanning device 462-1 ismaintained in zone 464-2. Mobile scanning device 462-2 is maintained inzone 464-4. Mobile scanning device 462-3 is maintained in zone 464-5.

FIG. 32B shows a location map 468 before any of items 463 are scanned.FIG. 32D shows displays of each of mobile scanning devices 462-1, 462-2,462-3 before any of items 463 are scanned. Referring back to FIG. 32A,mobile scanning device 462-2 may scan the item ID code of item 463-2.For example, a user may pick item 463-2 from rack 470, scan a barcode onitem 463-2 using mobile scanning device 462-2, and place item 463-2 intoa cart. Mobile scanning device 462-2 may transmit data to other mobilescanning devices 462-1, 462-3 indicating that item 463-2 has beenpicked. For example, mobile scanning device 462-2 may transmit anindication to the communication system that item 463-2 has been picked.The communication system may then indicate to mobile scanning devices462-1, 462-3 that item 463-2 has been picked. In response to such anindication, mobile scanning devices 462-1, 462-3 may remove item 463-2from their displays. In examples where mobile scanning device 462-2 maydirectly communicate with mobile scanning devices 462-1, 462-3, mobilescanning device 462-2 may wirelessly transmit data to other mobilescanning devices 462-1, 462-3 indicating that item 463-2 has beenpicked. In response to such an indication from mobile scanning device462-2, mobile scanning devices 462-1, 462-3 may remove item 463-2 fromtheir displays.

FIG. 32C shows an updated location map 468 in which item 463-2 has beenremoved after item 463-2 has been picked. Location map 468 of FIG. 32Cincluding items 463-1, 463-3, 463-4 may be representative of a locationmap included in mobile scanning devices 462-1, 462-2, 462-3 after mobilescanning devices 462-1, 462-3 are notified that item 463-2 has beenpicked. For example, location map 468 of FIG. 32C may represent thelocation map of mobile scanning device 462-2 after mobile scanningdevice 462-2 scans item 463-2. Similarly, location map 468 of FIG. 32Cmay represent the location maps of mobile scanning devices 462-1, 462-3after mobile scanning devices 462-1, 462-3 have received indicationsthat item 463-2 has been picked. FIG. 32E shows updated displays ofmobile scanning devices 462-1, 462-2, 462-3 in which mobile scanningdevices 462-1, 462-2, 462-3 have removed item 463-2 from their displays.

Various examples have been described. These and other examples arewithin the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: N location indicators forarrangement throughout a store that includes a plurality of stockeditems for picking according to one or more electronic customer orders,wherein each of the N location indicators is configured to transmit adifferent location signal; a central computing system configured towirelessly transmit the electronic customer orders; and a mobilescanning device comprising a display, the mobile scanning deviceconfigured to: wirelessly receive a first electronic customer order anda second electronic customer order from the central computing system,wherein the first electronic customer order comprises a first set ofordered items indicating which of the stocked items are to be picked,and wherein the second electronic customer order comprises a second setof ordered items indicating which of the stocked items are to be picked;detect one or more of the N location signals; arrange the first set ofordered items and the second set of ordered items on the display basedon which of the one or more location signals are detected; scan a firstitem identification code included with a first stocked itemcorresponding to an item included in at least one of the first set ofordered items and the second set of ordered items; and wirelesslytransmit data to the central computing system indicating that the firstitem identification code has been scanned.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the mobile scanning device is configured to intermix the itemsof the first and second sets of ordered items on the display based onwhich of the one or more location signals are detected.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the mobile scanning device is configured to receive thefirst electronic customer order and the second electronic customer orderat the same time.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile scanningdevice is configured to receive the first electronic customer order andthen subsequently receive the second electronic customer order at alater time.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the mobile scanning deviceis configured to: receive the first electronic customer order; arrangethe first set of ordered items on the display based on which of the oneor more location signals are detected; receive the second electroniccustomer order after the first electronic customer order; add the secondset of ordered items on the display in response to receipt of the secondelectronic customer order; and arrange the second set of ordered itemsand the first set of ordered items on the display based on which of theone or more locations signals are detected.
 6. The system of claim 1,wherein the mobile scanning device is a first mobile scanning devicecomprising a first display, wherein the system further comprises asecond mobile scanning device comprising a second display, and whereinthe second mobile scanning device is configured to receive the firstelectronic customer order and the second electronic customer order fromthe central computing system.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein thesecond mobile scanning device is configured to receive the firstelectronic customer order and the second electronic customer order fromthe central computing system at the same time that the first mobilescanning device receives the first electronic customer order and thesecond electronic customer order.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein thesecond mobile scanning device is configured to: detect a differentlocation signal than the one or more location signals detected by thefirst mobile scanning device; and arrange the first and second sets ofordered items on the second display in a different arrangement based onthe detected different location signal.
 9. The system of claim 6,wherein the second mobile scanning device is configured to: receive anindication that the first item identification code has been scanned; andremove the first stocked item from the second display in response toreceipt of the indication that the first item identification code hasbeen scanned.
 10. The system of claim 6, wherein the central computingsystem is configured to: receive a third electronic customer order; andtransmit the third electronic customer order to the first mobilescanning device.
 11. A system comprising: N location indicators forarrangement throughout a store that includes a plurality of stockeditems for picking according to one or more electronic customer orders,wherein each of the N location indicators includes a different readablecode, wherein a first location indicator of the N location indicatorsincludes a first readable code, and wherein a second location indicatorof the N location indicators includes a second readable code; a centralcomputing system configured to wirelessly transmit the electroniccustomer orders; and a mobile scanning device comprising a display, themobile scanning device configured to: wirelessly receive a firstelectronic customer order and a second electronic customer order fromthe central computing system, wherein the first electronic customerorder comprises a first set of ordered items indicating which of thestocked items are to be picked, and wherein the second electroniccustomer order comprises a second set of ordered items indicating whichof the stocked items are to be picked; scan the first readable code;determine a first location value based on the scanned first readablecode; scan the second readable code; determine a second location valuebased on the scanned second readable code; arrange the first set ofordered items and the second set of ordered items on the display basedon which of the first and second location values is determined; scan afirst item identification code included with a first stocked itemcorresponding to an item included in at least one of the first set ofordered items and the second set of ordered items; and wirelesslytransmit data to the central computing system indicating that the firstitem identification code has been scanned.
 12. The system of claim 11,wherein the mobile scanning device is configured to intermix the itemsof the first and second sets of ordered items on the display based onwhich of the first and second location values is determined.
 13. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the mobile scanning device is configured toreceive the first electronic customer order and the second electroniccustomer order at the same time.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein themobile scanning device is configured to receive the first electroniccustomer order and then subsequently receive the second electroniccustomer order at a later time.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein themobile scanning device is configured to: receive the first electroniccustomer order; arrange the first set of ordered items on the displaybased on which of the first and second location values is determined;receive the second electronic customer order after the first electroniccustomer order; add the second set of ordered items on the display inresponse to receipt of the second electronic customer order; and arrangethe second set of ordered items and the first set of ordered items onthe display based on which of the first and second location values isdetermined.
 16. The system of claim 11, wherein the mobile scanningdevice is a first mobile scanning device comprising a first display,wherein the system further comprises a second mobile scanning devicecomprising a second display, and wherein the second mobile scanningdevice is configured to receive the first electronic customer order andthe second electronic customer order from the central computing system.17. The system of claim 16, wherein the second mobile scanning device isconfigured to receive the first electronic customer order and the secondelectronic customer order from the central computing system at the sametime that the first mobile scanning device receives the first electroniccustomer order and the second electronic customer order.
 18. The systemof claim 16, wherein the second mobile scanning device is configured to:scan a third readable code that is different than the first readablecode and the second readable code; determine a third location valuebased on the scanned third readable code; and arrange the first andsecond sets of ordered items on the second display in a differentarrangement than the first display based on the determined thirdlocation value.
 19. The system of claim 16, wherein the second mobilescanning device is configured to: receive an indication that the firstitem identification code has been scanned; and remove the first stockeditem from the second display in response to receipt of the indicationthat the first item identification code has been scanned.
 20. The systemof claim 16, wherein the central computing system is configured to:receive a third electronic customer order; and transmit the thirdelectronic customer order to the first mobile scanning device.